3 ways to ensure your hybrid workforce is protected from cyber risks

A study done by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in August 2023 showed 37 per cent of Australians work from home regularly. That’s a solid five percentage points higher than pre-pandemic days, showing just how much our work habits have changed.

The hybrid approach will most likely be here to stay, and in a world where cyber-attacks occur every 39 seconds, organisations need to understand how to secure their networks in this new environment – Ilan Rubin, CEO of software company Wavelink, agrees: “Home networks can be filled with gaps due to connected smart devices that the employee doesn’t even realise are endpoints that could provide cybercriminals with access to the network.”

Having a secure information network protected from cyber threats is essential for both office and remote work, so what measures can your organisation take protect your data? In this article, we’ll discuss three ways business owners can fortify their networks and improve cyber security for remote workers.

1. Increase awareness of inside threats

Did you know that in the Annual Cyber Threat Report, phishing represented 55 per cent of all losses and 74 per cent of all reports? No business owner wants to create a culture of fear within their own organisation, however, the stats are clear: the most common security risk comes down to human error. It’s disturbingly easy how just one click on a malicious link can place your whole organisation’s information security at risk.

As more workers communicate via email and instant messaging apps while working from home, phishing attempts can go undetected – which is why it’s essential to train your employees on how to identify phishing attempts and reinforce the need to double-check the sender before clicking on any links.

2. Re-examine your information security systems

So what tools should businesses have in place to protect their network? Multi-factor authentication (MFA) as well as backup data and disaster recovery plans are a great start.

In addition to the abovementioned measures, an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS) should encompass every aspect of your organisation, including  your workplace and your employees’ home offices. When addressing home office security, it’s essential to take a broader approach to your system, ensuring it accounts for all potential entry points, including vulnerabilities through the corporate firewall.

3. Reassess your budget priorities

As more businesses transition into a hybrid workplace, budgets and expenses need to be reviewed. Where some businesses may have been funnelling funds into network upgrades and on-site infrastructure, employers should also consider investing into protecting your employees’ home offices.

So what other tools can businesses consider using to protect employees’ home workspaces? Cloud adoption, endpoint security and collaborative software not only protects company information in a more robust way but also makes remote work more efficient. It’s also wise to develop an ISMS that protects users across the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data centres and cloud edges.

Start protecting your business today  

With so many Australians now working from home, it’s more important than ever to have robust remote work security solutions. This includes having a reliable ISMS in place.

ISO 27001 offers a proven framework to shield your business from these increasingly sophisticated online scams. By enforcing rigorous security protocols through certification, businesses can not only protect their bottom line, but they can also build lasting trust with clients.

Citation Certification is here to make the ISO 27001 certification process simpler. Our experienced auditors can perform a compliance audit of your ISMS and provide a report that will add value to your investment in information security and certification. Contact us here to learn more.