How Pensar IT Safeguards London’s Remote Workforce

The rise of remote work in London presents a number of unique cybersecurity challenges that need to be understood and guarded against. Whether you work remotely as your own boss or under the umbrella of a company, it’s key to know that shifting from network to network as you move through your day may leave you vulnerable to cyber threats. Cyber security for remote workers is of particular concern if work involves the personal details of clients or storing information that is not for public consumption. Thankfully, Pensar IT has solutions that work perfectly for protecting London’s digital nomads.

Understanding the Risks to Remote Workers

An overview of common cyber threats faced by remote workers.

1. Email scams. Phishing has become much more sophisticated and scams seem very realistic these days.
2. Weak security controls. Where multiple layers of security apply to in-office workers, they often don’t apply to remote workers.
3. Cyber attacks on remote infrastructure. Things like DDoS attacks could completely prevent remote workers from accessing their work.
4. Unsecured wifi networks. If remote workers use cafe internet, they are using unsecured and essentially unsafe connections.
5. Personal devices used for work. When using their own devices for work, remote workers set the rules. This may mean using substandard but affordable software or not updating in a timely manner.
6. Weak passwords. Passwords not set through the necessary apps may make it easy for accounts to be broken into.
7. Unencrypted file sharing. Data is far too easy to access when it is not properly encrypted.
8. Misconfigurations in the cloud. Companies may unintentionally grant users too much access or fail to implement sufficient access controls.
9. Webcam hacking. Skyping or Zooming into work for meetings on unsecured connections may leave homes and workplaces vulnerable to attack.

Pensar IT’s Cyber Security Measures for Remote Work

Specific technologies and strategies Pensar IT uses to protect remote employees.

Remote work cyber security London is high on Pensar’s to-do list. The company has security solutions tailor-made to keep remote workers and digital nomads safe wherever they’re working from in the city and advice that can be helpful wherever you’re working from in the world. When it comes to cyber security for remote workers, adaptivity is essential. London is constantly under pressure from ever-changing digital threats, so cyber security strategies must be ever-changing, too, to keep up with the demand set by unauthorised personnel, such as hackers and cybercriminals. In this way, even sophisticated hacking methods will be rendered useless, as the information stolen will be meaningless.

Firewalls. Another extremely common cyber security protocol is firewalls. In short, a firewall is a network security device designed to monitor, filter, and control any incoming or outgoing network traffic. The company can set predetermined rules that influence what the firewall flags as suspicious or potentially dangerous.

Multi-Factor Authentication. Multi-factor authentication is a relatively new method of cyber security. It requires a user to provide more than one method of verification in order for them to be approved to access sensitive data and information.

Encryption security management. Encryption is used to make valuable data unreadable by unauthorised personnel, such as hackers and cybercriminals. In this way, even sophisticated hacking methods will be rendered useless, as the information stolen will be meaningless.

Best Practices for Remote Workers in London

Tips and guidelines for individuals to maintain their cyber security.

• Know your company’s remote work policies. 
• Use only devices pre-approved by your company unless you work in a “bring your own device” setting.
• Use a VPN when you work.
• Do not click on ANYthing you even think may be unsafe.
• Guard your devices physically by not leaving them unattended and by entering passwords in a space where no one can see your information.
• Only connect to safe, trusted networks.
• Update your router and device’s software regularly.
• Create strong and complex passwords.
• Use 2FA- two-factor authentication.
• Encrypt your email and all file transfers.
• If you have an IT desk to contact, reach out to them when you feel uncertain about anything.

Conclusion

If you are a remote worker looking to do the best job you can as safely as possible or an employer with remote working employees, reach out to Pensar IT to enhance your level of protection.

FAQ’s

• What specific cyber risks do remote workers face?

Email scans, weak security controls, cyber attacks on remote infrastructure, unsecured wifi and networks, personal devices used for work, weak passwords, unencrypted file sharing, misconfigurations in the cloud, and webcam hacking.

• What can individuals do to improve their own cyber security when working remotely?

Know your work policies, think before you click, use a VPN, use safe networks, use 2FA, update devices, use strong passwords, and encrypt all information sharing.

• Are there specific tools that Pensar IT recommends for remote workers?

Firewalls, multi-factor authentication, information encryption.

• How can businesses ensure their remote workforce remains protected against new cyber threats?

Create secure and protected networks, make use of web filtering, use an Endpoint Detect and Response (EDR) tool, use multi-factor authentication, and create a security awareness program for employees.