With more and more businesses permitting remote working opportunities for their employees, it’s important to have set guidelines in place. While the flexibility can significantly boost employee satisfaction and productivity, remote work also brings forth potential risks, especially concerning data access and network security. Humans are the weak link in any network and if a remote employee clicks the wrong shared file or email attachment, it could potentially invite hackers into your business network. No matter how large or small your company, you have to be smart about what tools and resources you provide remote workers to enforce data security. Here’s how the New Jersey IT specialists at NSGi can help you do just that.
- Implement Strong Cyber Security Protocols
Securing your company’s data should be at the forefront of your remote work strategy. Establishing cybersecurity protocols for everyone to follow can shield your network from potential breaches and safeguard sensitive information. Our IT experts can implement multi-layered security measures, such as secure remote access, hardware firewalls, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), and encryption. We also ensure all devices connected to the company network have best-in-class antivirus and malware removal software that is constantly updated.
- Utilize Secure Collaboration Tools
Effective communication is vital for teams who are working out of the office. Invest in reputable and secure collaboration tools that offer strong authentication features like different passcodes to enter each call. Tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom, when properly configured and used, can enhance team collaboration without compromising data security. NSGi can guide you in choosing the right tools for your specific business needs and ensure their proper setup and configuration.
- Conduct Regular Employee Training
Educating your remote workforce on cybersecurity best practices is essential to build a security-conscious culture. Conduct regular training sessions to raise awareness about phishing attacks and other common cyber threats. Empower your employees to identify potential risks and respond appropriately. If you don’t have the time or the bandwidth to conduct your own training sessions, NSGi offers end user awareness training to your company on a quarterly basis.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your remote team’s login process. It requires users to provide an additional piece of information, such as a one-time code sent to their smartphones, in addition to their password. By doing so, even if passwords get compromised, unauthorized access becomes significantly more challenging. NSGi can integrate 2FA into your existing systems or recommend platforms that support this security feature.
- Back Up Data Regularly
Data loss can be disastrous for any business. Ensure your remote team’s data is frequently backed up to secure servers. Many businesses think a cloud backup is best but actually cloud servers get hacked all the time! Your best option for backup is a private server in a secure data center with dedicated access for your company. Another advantage is that in case of a security breach, virus, or hardware failure, having reliable backups can expedite data recovery and minimize business downtime.
NSGi offers secure and automated data backup solutions to protect your critical information with a team to back it up 24/7.
Remote Working Made Easy with Affordable IT Support in NJ
Proactive monitoring of your network helps detect suspicious behavior early on. Analyzing network activity regularly enables quick response and minimizes the damage caused by potential cyberattacks. Remote work is here to stay, and with the right IT support in place, businesses can harness its potential while maintaining strong data security. NSGi’s managed IT services include 24/7 network monitoring, ensuring any anomalies are promptly addressed – while providing the necessary IT support and feedback to your remote teams.
To learn more about NSGi’s managed IT services and how our IT support can help your business, visit our website at https://www.nsgi.com/
