Working remotely is the new trend that seeks to lessen the security risks. Unfortunately, these seem to be an issue that never goes away. Be it as it may, you can manage to combat online security threats using the following ways.

Today, very few businesses don’t work remotely and many that do use it for the better part of their working hours. Some companies may not see the need for working remotely yet they have employees that take work home or work from conference venues, hotel suites, and while commuting; all these are examples of remote working.

Accountability is a major issue that is synonymous with such casual form of remote working more so when trying to figure out how the business IT networks used work. It is a matter that often goes unnoticed when laying down cyber security policies and procedures. Failure to address this issue only places companies and organization at risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.

Remote working, whether used as a mandatory element in the running of operations and getting work done or a formalized arrangement, can leave the IT network and systems vulnerable to attacks and breaches.

The first step is to know which areas in the running of the business are at risk, only then can you effectively manage the security or remote working. After that, run an awareness-raising campaign that will enlighten the workforce of the various actions they may do that may compromise the safety and the step to take that protect the business’ systems and networks.

The cyber security policies put in place should include various risks associated with working remotely and the procedures and guidelines to follow when working away from the office. If employees need to hide their IP when working, there should be a clear process to follow. Clear steps should also exist if they need to dispose of potentially sensitive digital data.

There should also be an explanation of the actions to be taken if an employee working remotely is believed or found to have compromised the company’s security, and which disciplinary actions should be taken.

Below are some tips that provide an excellent starting point:

1. Keep Mobile Devices and Laptops Safe
   Lost and stolen laptops and mobile devices with insufficient security protocols are often easy pickings for cybercriminals. The first and easiest defensive measure is to ensure that you always have these business assets close to you and constantly within your sight. They should never be left in the car, hotel room or safes, or the conference rooms.

   The second thing to do is password protect the devices. Ensure you use a strong password and encryption. Lastly, install mobile management apps such as AirWatch that will give you or your employee’s administrative rights to secure and recover the lost mobile devices.

2. Exceptional Password Hygiene
   Reverting to the use of passwords, these do not just prevent unauthorized access to the gadgets in the event they are lost or stolen, they also keep hackers from gaining access. It is imperative that you exercise vigorous password hygiene which includes the use of a long multi-character password and with a two-step authentication process. Also, ensure that every system, network, and device has a unique password.

   

3. Up-To-Dated Security Protocols
   Every device, network, and system in the company or organization should be protected with antivirus, firewalls, encryption, and web filtering and other protective and preventive software, and this applies to even the private or personal devices that employees use at work for remote working.

   It may be a complicated matter since your workforce may feel that this invades on their personal use of the gadgets. However, your cyber security policies should be structured in a manner that addresses these issues; making cyber security protection mandatory restricting the use of personal devices when conducting critical business, or ensuring the employees have access to and use company owned devices.

4. Email Encryption and Best Practices
   Emailing is a highly used digital technology particularly by employees who often work remotely and away from the office. However, it is a communication channel that can be used as a backdoor by cyber criminals. As such, it is important to incorporate a robust encryption and email management system.

   Mimecast is one of the many applications that you can install that help; it’s also important to make the staff aware of the vulnerabilities associated with email. Train them on spotting cyber threats such as phishing emails and set guidelines for the type of information that should and should not be shared via email (such as passwords and logins).

5. Use of Secure Public Wi-Fi
   More often than not, the use of public Wi-Fi increases the risk of malicious attacks, and this is often the risk employees who have to work from conferences and hotel rooms face. The best thing is to connect to a trusted network, but that is not always possible.

   As such, the cyber security and remote working policies should explicitly stipulate that employees should avoid using public Wi-Fi when handling sensitive business. Ensure there is a policy in place that explains the systems and actions that should be taken in case a staff member needs to use public Wi-Fi.

   An alternative which some companies may want to explore is to use a VPN. Doing so gives much better protection and may be a good tradeoff between convenience and security when using public Wi-Fi. Fastest VPN Guide’s site lists multiple reputable providers everyone can consider. And though it may not seem like it, remember that VPN speed matters a whole lot too. A slow connection can make any remote work painful to the point of an employee not wanting to do it at all.

6. Removable Devices
   The use of removable storage devices such as USB sticks is the most common way of introducing malware. It is important to check these removable devices first before accessing them, even if they are handouts given in a business conference. Also, restrict the use of new USBs only allowing a few individuals to plug in such devices into the company computers. If any has to use such devices, like to share information during a meeting, let the IT department handle such issues to check their security.
7. Using Public Computers
   In most companies and organizations, the employees have personal laptops and mobile devices that they may at times use for remote working. However, sometimes the demands of work may push them to use a public computer such as those in the business suites in hotels or airports.

   Let the staff know of the security implications of using such computers and that they adhere to set guidelines that include:

   • Keeping the screen private (away from plain sight)
   • Consider using private browsing settings when accessing the internet
   • Not using public computers when handling sensitive data
   • To avoid saving private information such as passwords and logins
   • Clearing the browsing history
   • Deleting downloads before closing the browser and stepping away from the computer

There is a lot to think about when you want to hire a software development company. The first things you need to consider is whether or not they can be trusted to deliver and whether or not they are the right choice for you. After all, you as a business need to make a great impression on your customers, and this could be the secret to your expansion and your success. So what are the benefits will you gain when you hire a software development company?

Quality
Offshore companies have a lot of choice in who they hire and tend to take on only the finest experts in the industry. They understand the quality of the projects on which they work. This alone makes them an excellent choice when it comes to your software development. They are also capable of meeting any international standards that are in place.

On top of this, despite being located remotely, you’ll find that you never feel as though you are not connected to the company. It’s standard practice to remain in constant communication with you whether it is on the phone, by email or with conference calls. This constant communication can provide you with a very high level of work satisfaction, not to mention peace of mind.

Deliveries
An offshore company can begin to help you before your project is even started. They can work with you to ensure everything gets planned out properly and all schedules are reasonable. Because of differences in time zones, work can essentially be done around the clock, bringing you closer to your goal faster than you ever thought possible.

Security
One of the many reasons why people choose an offshore company is because they can provide a very high level of security. They tend to follow the most up to date remote worker security protocols since after all, if a breach was to happen, that would probably spell the end of the company. Who would trust them with the intellectual property after such an event?

In addition, once your software is out the door, remote outsourcers will also give the support you need post-launch. This, of course, gives you an opportunity to make sure all bugs are ironed out and all required maintenance is carried out promptly.

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to hiring an offshore software developer. You would be surprised at how easy it is for you to get what you need to be done and to receive the support you need.

Software development is the process of programming, documenting, testing and bug fixing. It also includes architecting the structure of, writing and maintaining the source code, as well as research, prototyping, and maintenance.

As you can imagine, there are many things you can do to take advantage of software development and everything that it has to offer. You would be surprised at how much a good developer could help you with your day to day needs.

Your Software Development Provider
When you hire a software developer, you’ll find they can help you with just about anything you need including, of course, getting the right software that meets your requirements. When you first talk to them, you’ll be able to plan out in great detail what your application will look like and all the features it will include.
Your developer can work with you to ensure you are happy with the implemented features on an ongoing basis. Should there be any changes in requirements, or if you identify any refinements, those are also unquestionably things with which they can help you.

Software You Can Create
There are commonly a couple of options when it comes to the type of software you can create for your businesses. The most common application type is one which keeps track of both your income and expenses, as well as inventory if that is something you keep.

The other common type of software is one centered around your businesses’ employees. It allows you to record anything from the salaries to vacation and sick days, and even which projects they’re working on and for how long. The possibilities are endless.

So as you can see, a software can help you with just about anything your business needs. Once an application has been put together and is up and running, your developer can also give you support. This includes anything from fielding questions to bug fixes.

Even usability issues are something a developer can address after the fact. If the interface layout needs a little tweak or the color scheme isn’t quite there, for a good software developer, these are easy tasks to take care off.

If you’re interested in finding out more about hiring a developer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have relationships with many remotely working professionals all over the world, and one of them can undoubtedly be the perfect match for your business needs.