Remote and Hybrid Work Environments

(OBJ 5.6)

Remote Work

• Employees work outside the traditional office (e.g., from home, coffee shops, or while traveling)

Hybrid Work

• Combines traditional office work with remote work opportunities
• Remote and hybrid work offer flexibility, but come with unique security challenges

Security Challenges

• Increased risk due to lack of physical security controls outside the office
• Data transmitted over public and private networks can be exposed to malicious attackers
• Home and public networks have weaker security controls
  • The core risk lies in the weaker security of home and public networks, as compared to office-based infrastructure
• Potential for cyberattacks, eavesdropping, and data breaches
• Increased risk of device loss or theft
  • Remote and hybrid work environments also concern with the physical security of work devices
  • Without proper safeguarding protocols like the use of encryption or the capability to remotely wipe the device's data, the information contained within that device could fall into the hands of a threat actor

Addressing Security Challenges

• Establish comprehensive policies for remote and hybrid work
  1. Emphasize the use of secure connections like VPN for data access
  2. Implement multi-factor authentication for added security
  3. Provide cybersecurity training and awareness for employees
     • Encourage reporting of security incidents
  4. Use company-issued devices with up-to-date security software
     • Define security measures for personally owned devices (BYOD)
       • Things like installing official security software updates and regular patching and updates to be able to ensure the security of these personally owned devices being used for remote work
       • Since employees own the device, this can actually complicate the securing of the device because the organization doesn't own it and doesn't have rights to install software on it without the employees permission,
  5. Set up automated backups for data protection
  6. Choose secure collaboration tools with end-to-end encryption and administrative controls as well as compliance with international security standards
  7. Maintain clear communication between cybersecurity team and remote employees
     • Ensure any issues are addressed promptly
     • Conduct regular security audits and feedback sessions