Five Steps to Protect Yourself from Cyberattacks While Working Remotely in Summer 2023, Per Sophos
As summer arrives, remote work becomes the preferred option for many professionals. However, it is crucial to be aware of the risks and threats involved when transitioning your workspace to a new location. While cybersecurity has gained recognition as a vital aspect of businesses even before the pandemic, it was the widespread implementation of teleworking during lockdowns and the subsequent surge in cyberattacks that made IT teams prioritize raising awareness among employees.
The primary objective is clear: fortify every access point to the corporate network, monitor it consistently, and mitigate active threats to ensure secure and flexible remote work options.
Chester Wisniewski, Field Sophos CTO, emphasizes the significance of ongoing measures to protect remote work environments: "When the health emergency arose, companies had to swiftly adopt measures to continue operations from home. While the crisis eventually subsided and companies returned to normal, teleworking has persisted in many cases. Initially, companies took steps to enhance their cyber protection levels, but users can also take complementary measures that enable them to telework securely from any location."
With advantages like flexibility and work-life balance, it is no surprise that many professionals opt for remote work during the summer season. However, transitioning between workspaces should not be taken lightly. Cybersecurity experts from Sophos, a renowned global provider of cybersecurity solutions, offer five essential steps to minimize risks and concerns during this period and ensure a joyful and secure work experience:
Thorough Preparation: Alongside physically arranging your devices and materials in the new destination, don't overlook the internal setup. Verify that your devices have appropriate security software installed, adhere to your organization's compliance policies, and ensure that all solutions are up to date and adequately protected.
Training: Recognize that most cyberattacks exploit vulnerabilities in the weakest link, which often happens to be the users themselves. Acquiring basic knowledge about current threats and learning how to identify potential attacks promptly is crucial for every employee. This proactive approach safeguards both personal and organizational security.
Double-check Communications: If you receive an unexpected communication from a coworker or a business that appears suspicious, refrain from responding immediately. Instead, reach out to the individual or organization using an alternate communication method like a phone call or SMS to verify their authenticity.
Stay Updated: Applying software updates promptly is not limited to your phones and computers; it extends to your internet router and smart home devices. Regularly check for available updates at least once every quarter to ensure you have the latest security patches and features.
Prioritize Essential Security Measures: Even after following the previous steps, it is crucial not to overlook fundamental protection measures that serve as the first line of defense. Set unique passwords for all your accounts and consider using a password manager to maintain long and secure passwords. Whenever possible, enable multi-factor or "two-step" authentication to add an extra layer of protection.
Chester Wisniewski emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in device security, considering devices in a hostile environment. He believes that remote workers should adopt proactive measures for flexibility, security, and a productive summer work experience.
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