As the world has transitioned to remote work settings due to the impacts of COVID-19, many have equipped their home offices with the technological tools needed to complete the necessary day-to-day tasks required for their job roles. According to Gartner, remote work is here and here to stay. With this perspective, employees and businesses must become aware of the potential vulnerability to cyberattacks with a high volume of employees taking part in remote work.

There are several cybersecurity threats companies should look out for. However, the top concern is related to remote work. GetApp’s 2020 Annual Data Security Report found, “Limited security for remote workers is the single most common vulnerability business are facing today.”

According to GetApp’s Annual Data Security Report, there are nine trends to monitor to keep businesses secure.

Remote Work

Utilize reputable software tools to ensure data is secure when accessed remotely.

Data Breaches

Data breaches are much more common for companies that allow access to company data. Employees should only have access to data that is necessary for their job responsibilities and performance. This will help prevent data breaches as companies who allow full access to data are more likely to report a breach.

Data Classification

Categorizing data as public, internal and confidential has been proved to be insufficient in restricting employee access and preventing data breaches.

Phishing Schemes

“According to the report, “80% of employees report receiving phishing emails, compared to 73% in 2019, and employees are 15% more likely to click on a malicious link.” In particular, marketing employees were the most likely (38%) to click on these malicious links.” (Hope Reese, Tech Republic)

Account Takeovers

COVID-19 has influenced a large increase in online transactions. As a result, there has been a significant increase in account takeovers targeting online retail customers.

Improved Authentication Methods

Businesses have been proactive in the use of two-factor authentication, as well as, fingerprint scan and facial recognition.

Ransomware

Many businesses have been hit with ransomware and “only 70% of businesses could retrieve their data.” (Hope Reese, Tech Republic)

VR/AR Use

“In 2020, 17% of businesses harness AR and VR for training purposes—and digital marketing and accounting report even greater use of these tools, up to 35%. Training has moved from the physical to the virtual, and more employees, 71%, are reporting that they must attend security training annually.” (Hope Reese, Tech Republic)

Data Privacy Concerns

Remote work environments driven by COVID-19 have increased concerns among IT departments. Research for data privacy regulations has also increased significantly.

Lifespan Solutions

As we move further into 2021, remote work is still known to be a top concern for potential cybersecurity attacks. The 9 trends are just a few important business considerations to take caution of. Lifespan is here to help your business overcome these risks with solutions to stay secure. Talk to us today.

To learn more about staying secure with remote work, read this article by Tech Republic.