Teleworking securely: the challenge of cybersecurity in a remote environment

Teleworking has transformed the way we conceive the relationship between personnel, organization and technological tools. What began as a circumstantial solution to deal with exceptional situations, has consolidated as a viable and, in many cases, preferred work option. However, this change has brought with it significant challenges, especially in the area of cybersecurity. Both the physical distance from the office and the use of less controlled connections and devices make teleworking an attractive scenario for cyberattacks.

The new cybersecurity landscape: emerging risks

With the transition to teleworking, many organizations have found that their security infrastructure, designed to protect internal environments, is not sufficient. Home networks, unauthorized applications and the use of personal devices are just some of the variables complicating this scenario. In addition, cybercriminals have redoubled their efforts, exploiting loopholes such as public Wi-Fi networks, weak passwords and insufficient cybersecurity training.

Among the most common threats, the following stand out:

1. Phishing and spoofing: Emails designed to trick employees into gaining access to credentials or installing malicious software.
2. Ransomware: Software that encrypts an organization’s data and demands a ransom.
3. Interception of communications: Attacks that exploit unsecured connections to access sensitive information.
4. Lost or stolen devices: A lost laptop with unencrypted data can compromise an entire corporate network.

The challenge of cybersecurity in telework lies not only in the number of threats, but also in the speed with which they can spread and affect an entire organization.

The importance of organizational policies

The first step in ensuring secure telework is to establish a clear organizational policy that defines the rules for the use of systems, tools and access. A well-structured policy helps to prevent errors and ensure a controlled work environment. Among the aspects to be considered are the following:

• The delimitation of which employees can telework and under what conditions.
• The exclusive use of tools approved by the company.
• Application and authorization procedures for remote connections.
• Rules on storage and handling of sensitive data outside corporate facilities.

This policy should be communicated to all levels of the organization and updated regularly to reflect new threats and technological changes.

Equipment and devices: the first line of defense

One of the most common mistakes is to assume that any device can be used for teleworking. In reality, equipment security is a crucial element in protecting corporate information. This includes ensuring that devices are configured and updated according to minimum standards. To this end:

• Make sure that the latest version of the operating system and software used is always available.
• Install and maintain an antivirus and malware detection system.
• Implement encryption measures on hard disks, so that data is protected even if the device is lost or stolen.

Where employees use personal devices, companies should encourage the use of virtualization tools that isolate the work environment from the workforce. This minimizes the risks associated with the use of shared or misconfigured devices.

Secure networks: protecting connections

Working from home involves connecting to home networks or, sometimes, public Wi-Fi. Both scenarios present significant vulnerabilities. The use of a virtual private network (VPN) is critical to ensure that data transmitted between the employee and the company is encrypted. In addition, companies should:

1. Provide secure configurations for home routers, including changing default passwords and using advanced encryption standards such as WPA3.
2. Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive systems.
3. Monitor network traffic and remote connections for anomalies.

The role of collaborative tools

The rise of teleworking has been accompanied by intensive use of collaboration and videoconferencing platforms. While these tools are indispensable, they also present risks if not used correctly. Best practices include:

• Set up virtual meetings so that only invited users can access them.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information through means that do not encrypt the data.
• Use applications that meet robust security and encryption standards.

In addition, it is advisable to train employees in the secure use of these tools, ensuring that they know the basic settings to protect sessions and shared data.

Training and awareness: the key to success

Technology alone is not enough to ensure secure teleworking. Lack of training and awareness among employees is one of the biggest cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Training programs should include:

• How to identify phishing attempts and other forms of deception.
• Secure password management and the importance of multifactor authentication.
• Good practices in the use of devices, networks and collaborative tools.

These programs should not be sporadic, but continuous, adapting to new threats and tools that employees may face.

Incident management: being prepared for the unexpected

Even if all preventive measures are implemented, security incidents can still occur. Therefore, every organization should have a response plan that includes:

• Procedures for incident management .
• Audit tools to track suspicious access and activity.
• Up-to-date backups that allow you to restore data efficiently.

A well-designed contingency plan not only minimizes the impact of an attack, but also allows the organization to recover its operations in the shortest possible time.

Cybersecurity as a shared responsibility

Teleworking has opened up new possibilities for companies, but it has also increased the attack surface for cybercriminals. Ensuring security in this model is not only the responsibility of technical teams, but a joint effort involving all levels of the organization.

From clear policies and appropriate tools to ongoing training and incident management, every measure counts in building a secure telework environment. Investing in cybersecurity not only protects company assets, but also strengthens customer confidence.