VPN for remote employees: Why is it necessary?
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Many companies offer their employees the opportunity to work remotely. This is convenient and allows employees to save time by not having to travel to the office. However, when working remotely from home, employees can encounter information security problems. We will tell you how VPN use, device protection, and carefulness when processing personal and sensitive information can minimise risks and keep employees safe in a remote environment.Remote work provides many benefits, but employees and their employers should be aware of the following risks.
Unprotected networks
When employees connect to public Wi-Fi networks, their data may be easy prey for hackers. Such networks are often not encrypted. If an employee sends personal or corporate information via them, it can be intercepted and used by intruders.
Vulnerable devices
Computers, smartphones, or tablets that are used for remote work can be vulnerable to various attacks. Companies are not always able to control their safety. A lack of relevant software updates and weak passwords can lead to data breaches or data leaks.
Phishing and fraud
Attackers may try to attack remote employees by sending phishing emails or other fraudulent messages.
Data leaks
Remote work increases the risk of confidential data leakage. If employees store files locally or send them via unprotected communication channels, this can lead to outsiders gaining unauthorised access to valuable information.
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How to organise remote access for employees
The IT market has VPN technology, or virtual private network, which helps ensure a secure connection between an employee's computer and their company's office network. The connection is encrypted, which means that all data transmitted over the VPN remains confidential and protected from unauthorised access. This is especially important when working with sensitive data, such as customers' personal information or trade secrets.
The advantages of VPN include:
- a wide range of opportunities for scaling,
- high application performance,
- the ability to flexibly configure applications according to the needs of each user,
- minimum requirements for subscriber devices (thin clients, computers with basic ТТХ, and mobile devices can be used).
In addition, working via a VPN provides a stable and reliable connection. This eliminates communication delays and interruptions, which allows employees to be more productive, even away from the office.
The Anti-virus Times recommends
- To minimise risks, employees should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, if possible, or minimise the amount of valuable information transmitted via them. If there is no choice, a virtual private network should be used when connecting to public networks. VPN creates an encrypted connection, which ensures the security of transmitted data.
- Employees should follow the security recommendations for their devices, namely: regularly update software, use two-factor authentication (2FA), install anti-virus software, and use strong and unique passwords.
- Courses on information security basics and recognising phishing emails and fraudulent tricks should be an important part of the training programme for remote employees. Email and specialised programs that filter spam and block phishing emails should also be used.
- Employees should only use cloud storages and file sharing tools that provide secure data storage and transfer. Access to confidential information should also be provided only to those employees who need it to perform their staff duties.
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