Safety and remote work - how to ensure a safe environment for employees working from different locations (cybersecurity, BYOD)

According to 86 percent of corporate leaders, remote workers raise the risk of a data security breach. So, both corporate executives and workers must assume equal responsibility for doing all possible to secure their company's data.

To begin, executives should educate staff on data security and how everyone is valued for its protection. Therefore, they must also implement strategies and procedures that will improve data security within their organizations.

Remote employees must also prioritize data security education and safety procedures. Therefore, they must then adhere to such measures. That's why this BYOD concept plays a key role nowadays. However, let's take a look at its risks:

Risks of hybrid work

Employees that work in a hybrid-remote environment may have limited access to information.

Unless you work for a company that meticulously documents everything, you may be expected to carry out your daily tasks with less information — and incomplete information — than you’re in-person counterparts. This can lead to other errors, confusion, irritation, and even underperformance over time.

There are fewer chances for advancement and professional advancement.

Companies may pass up promotions, progress, and growth chances for hybrid-remote personnel who are out of sight.

They may also have fewer possibilities to move horizontally within the company and less power to develop new roles to meet changing business demands.

Lobbying for remote control is a difficult task.

Suppose a remote employee is hired, but the arrangement is not supported equally by all teams and supervisors. In that case, a situation may emerge where the remote employee continually explains the perceived benefit of not going to a physical office.

The sensation of working out of a remote office.

Hybrid-remote personnel must work hard to avoid being viewed as second-class citizens within the company. During the interview process, bring up pertinent questions on how distant employees are on boarded, included, and regarded by others.

It is identifying whether or not remote access is available and supported.

Many major corporations will allow remote workers, but they will not openly promote remote positions or publicly declare that they support it. This makes finding positions and finding remote-friendly managers and teams inside such an organization an arduous game of hide-and-seek.

There's a chance you'll be made an example of.

In predominantly firms, remote employees may be asked questions like, "So, how did you get a remote arrangement?" This puts remote workers in an awkward predicament.

That's why we need to learn more about companies that can create a great environment to work in.

Office perks

Creating a company culture in a hybrid-remote workplace is more difficult, but it is not impossible. Perks should be adaptable so that everyone may make use of them.

While business trips and free refreshments at the office will ultimately be reinstated, it is critical to consider benefits that will benefit individuals working remotely or just infrequently traveling to the office, such as:

• Stipends for meal delivery
• Online savings
• Subscriptions to health and wellness applications. Also streaming services or virtual learning classes.

For these reasons, perks must take into account this new worker dynamic, as well as the security that companies need in terms of their private data.

 

BYOD (bring your own device)

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is an increasingly ubiquitous trend where companies allow employees to bring their portable devices to complete work tasks and connect to corporate networks and resources.

Employees in many companies can work on their laptops, centralize all business information on their smartphones, so they don't have to carry two cell phones or access the company network from home.

However, not all are advantages.

The lack of adequate security policies can put confidential information at risk. However, there are other disadvantages you can find with BYOD.

This refers to an increasingly widespread trend in the business environment, where employees can bring and use their own devices (laptops, smartphones, and tablets) to access their resources.

Currently, 42% of smartphones and 38% of laptops belong to employees. So, they use their devices to work. This shows that BYOD is a great trend in companies worldwide. And IT managers expect the phenomenon to continue to spread globally over the next two years. In fact, 63% of respondents say the percentage of employee-owned devices will increase.

With a good security policy in place, you can reduce BYOD risks. The problem is that many companies don't have enough preparation to implement mobile initiatives. According to surveys, only half of the large companies and 41% of medium-sized companies have a policy in place.

Companies must take several criteria into account to ensure BYOD security. On the one hand, employees must protect access and services on the company network. You must also have an additional layer of security for all devices that connect to the network.

5 ways to secure data

Make a cyber-security policy.

The first step in safeguarding corporate data is to ensure that all workers know that it is a top concern.

Make sure that all of your internet connections are safe.

Wi-Fi network represents the most common way to expose your company to a data security breach. As a remote worker, everyone understands the desire to get out of the home now and again and the allure of your local coffee shop. So, his may be the ideal break.

Use a password manager and keep your passwords strong and varied.

Another very simple approach to safeguard your organization's data is to use password security.

Use Two-factor Authentication tools.

For data security management, several businesses are implementing two-factor authentication (2FA). This technique verifies a user's identification by requiring a username and password. All this, as well as additional pieces of information, such as a response to a "secret question" or a text message to their phone.

Companies must use Encryption software.

Another option for businesses and their remote workers to secure themselves is to use encryption software. If some employee loses their device, the information on it might fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, this leaves the firm vulnerable to data breaches and vulnerabilities.

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The bottom line

You must bring your device. As a result, the way businesses gave access to their computer networks changed. Traditionally, a school or business's IT department would create private networks. People can access the machines they control. Students and staff will be able to connect their cellphones, tablets, and laptops to more open networks. All this, thanks to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

The explosion in the popularity of tablets and smartphones and decreasing laptop computer prices allow the BYOD trend to rise. Individuals trusting companies to provide them with gear for employment can now possess gadgets capable of doing the same tasks.

For all this, from Conwotec we offer you the help and advice you need to make this BYOD approach work in your company.