Data Security While Outsourcing - Need-to-know Basics

Developing and managing a remote team is tricky. However, it gets more challenging when you need to operate with an international team whilst preserving your data's security from cybersecurity incidents.

Individuals and businesses may operate from almost anywhere, thanks to technology. Technology allows us to maintain a healthy work/life balance, operate remotely or even as a remote team, and keep in touch with the office while we're gone. It simplifies your job but raises concerns about potential data security threats.

Remote Working Security Risks

Remote work comes with a variety of security risks, such as phishing, ransomware, malware, and social engineering. Therefore, always remember to warn remote employees about these securities risks when employing them. The primary issue is the confidentiality of client data and the corporate server. Therefore, make sure your security settings are current and strong enough.

Social Engineering

The art of social engineering involves coercing others into disclosing private information, such as passwords, bank account information, and remote access to your computer. These attempts may be conducted to bypass your best practices or extort ransom.

Because most people use the same passwords across the board, if a social engineer successfully obtained one person's email password and gained access to that person's contact list, they could also easily access all of that person's websites, applications, contacts, and other sensitive files.

These social engineering attacks can include a link to downloaded files and appear to be an email from a friend or another reliable source. People sometimes don't suspect their regular contacts, making them vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Phishing

The most typical and well-liked technique for stealing other people's credentials is phishing. It is a type of cybercrime in which criminals pose as a respectable organization to persuade victims to divulge sensitive information, including passwords, banking, and credit card information.

Imagine visiting a website that resembles Facebook exactly and logging in as if it were a genuine deal. When a hacker makes a website that appears trustworthy but isn't, it's called phishing.

Phishing is a type of social engineering tactic that impersonates a reliable URL to trick you into providing login information or other sensitive personal information.

How it looks like:

• An URL that looks like a legitimate website with a few differences (a dot, space, etc.).
• Present a task that asks you to fill out a form and "confirm" your information by clicking the displayed link.
• Ask money for charitable fundraisers or other causes.
• Notify that you won something.
• Ask for urgent help as your friend or family.
• Pose like your boss or coworker.

Remote developers are easy targets for cyber attackers.

Malware And Ransomware Attacks:

On the Internet, malware is everywhere. By tricking you into installing malicious software, con artists can access your files and monitor your activities.

A form of software known as ransomware restricts users from accessing their personal or system files and demands a ransom payment to restore access. All your crucial data is encrypted by ransomware, which demands payment for the decryption key. Ransomware, spyware, and viruses all pose serious threats to your security. They could damage your computer, remove your files, and blackmail you for money to retrieve them.

Apart from this, two more types of malware exist.

• Spyware: Installs secretly and stealthily collects your keystrokes, screen activity, audio, and video.
• Tools for remote administration: Give yourself total control of your machine.

The most typical attack mechanisms have been covered, but how can you protect yourself? Check out these security suggestions:

Security Tips For Remote Workers

Create A Complex Password:

One of the fastest ways to protect your essential data is using strong passwords. Your personnel should be told to update their passwords routinely and to use different passwords for various sites. You should update your password policy every few months and urge users to change their passwords.

Create a difficult password with multi-factor authentication.

• Use characters and alphanumeric.
• A minimum of 8 characters is required.
• Compare newer passwords to a list of well-known bad options
• Put a special passcode on your most important accounts to keep them secure.

In addition to using strong passwords, you can enable two-step verification to provide an additional layer of security and protect your data against phishing scams, data theft, and password leaks.

Secure Devices:

Malware typically penetrates employee systems and devices through email or the Internet. Since remote workers can be easy targets for hackers, these security issues constitute the main obstacle to working with a remote workforce.

While collaborating with a remote team, you should keep the following in mind:

• Forbidding employees from using the Internet or email for personal use on company equipment is the greatest way to prevent data loss and security breaches.
• If possible, you can own and provide all the equipment required for remote workers in accordance with your restrictions.
• Make sure that the systems and applications used by your remote staff are regularly updated.
• Install antivirus or antimalware software, and keep it updated until it expires.

By giving your remote staff access to security tools, you can keep your data secure. You can create malware defense with your IT staff or pay a cybersecurity company to create the system. You can use it to safeguard your data from hackers worldwide.

Platforms for mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) can assist you in protecting the data of remote employees and enforcing corporate security guidelines. This platform can perform virus scans, automatically delete data from stolen devices, and more. It can even remotely compel data encryption.

Employees can use their own devices in the workplace or remotely with the help of cloud-based MDMs, which provide permission-based security to control remote access.

Cloud services: 

You can share files and interact in real-time with a secure cloud service. A superior cloud provider gives you a safe place to store your data and manages security risks. You can use it to encrypt sensitive information from hackers and viruses.

Even smaller businesses can benefit from the many accessible cloud services and programs like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. To keep your cloud data secure, all you need are strong passwords. After that, your virtual workspace and storage will be safe.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi:

Your data security is not protected when using the public Internet through an unidentified server. Given that anyone may easily access it, this network may be used by hackers.

Make sure your remote employee never sends you any important information via a public Wi-Fi network because attackers can easily breach these networks. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity when not in use on a device.

Secure Connection(VPN):

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a method for securing remote data connections and adding an additional degree of security to public Wi-Fi hotspots. Always remember to use a VPN to encrypt your internet activity, especially if you're using a public Wi-Fi network.

The members of your remote workforce must take security measures to protect their data when connecting to open Wi-Fi networks. To get out of the house now and then, many remote workers take pleasure in setting up shop in neighborhood coffee shops or eateries. They must ensure that they are employing VPNs since they establish a secure network connection between one network and another over the Internet.

Remote Working Security Policy

One of the crucial steps to preventing attacks on your data is establishing a security strategy. When managing company data, you should ensure that your remote employees abide by the policy guidelines.

Cybersecurity training is just as crucial as your client project. Your remote staff should always be alert to potential hazards they may encounter online. Because Remote employees always have their smartphones with them. They should refrain from lending their laptops or smartphones to anyone or strangers.

You can provide your remote team members with instructions on some additional fundamental safety measures.

• Avoid clicking on questionable links and spam.
• Never work on public property or represent your company in public.
• If any paper or documents are needed, always shred them afterward.

Your remote workers should understand that data security and cybersecurity are personal responsibilities.

Final Verdict

Managing a remote workforce is difficult. It is significantly harder to protect your very sensitive data and information. No matter where they are, your remote team members from all across the nation, if not the world, will need access to documents, accounts, and other information in order to complete their responsibilities effectively. Modern technology simplifies this process but also raises security risks.

Since remote teams frequently use mobile devices to operate, these devices are more susceptible to viruses that could breach your company's network and cause data leaks as a result of lost or stolen devices. Be cautious and take careful measures if these problems arise!

Melisoft keeps you up-to-date with innovative information and trends in the current market. Contact us if you are interested in how we can help you manage your data and outsource safely.