With remote work becoming increasingly common, businesses face unique challenges in keeping their networks secure. Remote teams rely on multiple devices, diverse networks, and various access points, increasing the risk of security breaches. Establishing robust network security protocols is essential to protecting sensitive business data, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding employees’ devices, no matter where they are located. Here’s how to keep your business network secure while supporting remote work.
1. Implement Secure Firewalls
Firewalls are a foundational layer of network security, acting as a barrier between internal business systems and external threats. They monitor incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking harmful data and preventing unauthorised access. For businesses with remote teams, having a powerful, flexible firewall solution is crucial to manage and monitor remote connections. The key is finding the right type of protection that suits your business setup.
One firewall solution that excels at protecting remote networks is the WatchGuard T Series. This series of firewalls is designed to provide comprehensive protection tailored for small to medium-sized businesses with remote or distributed teams. It includes advanced security features such as intrusion prevention, malware detection, and web filtering, ensuring that each connection to the network is secure and compliant. By deploying a solution like the WatchGuard T Series, businesses can strengthen their network defences against potential cyber threats, ensuring that each remote connection is closely monitored and secure.
2. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN for short) encrypts data, creating a secure tunnel between the remote worker’s device and the company’s network. VPNs make it much more difficult for hackers to intercept data, providing an essential layer of security for employees accessing company resources from public or unsecured networks.
When implementing a VPN, look for features such as:
- Strong Encryption: Ensure that the VPN provider uses advanced encryption protocols like AES-256 to protect data.
- Multi-Device Support: Choose a VPN solution that allows users to connect from multiple devices, ensuring that both computers and mobile devices are secure.
- Speed and Performance: High-speed VPNs prevent slowdowns, allowing employees to work efficiently without security lagging behind.
3. Enforce Strong Authentication and Access Control
Multi-factor authentication is a great additional layer of protection. It requires your users to verify their identity using at least two forms of verification. You could set it up so that employees have to enter a password and a unique code, for example. Implementing MFA ensures that even if a password is compromised, unauthorised access is far less likely.
4. Provide Cybersecurity Training for Employees
Remote employees often use personal devices and networks, which are typically more vulnerable to attacks. Cybersecurity training can help educate your team about best practices, such as recognising phishing attempts, avoiding suspicious links, and managing passwords securely.
Topics to cover in cybersecurity training include:
- Recognising Social Engineering Attacks: Teach employees how to identify and respond to phishing emails and other social engineering attacks.
- Secure Device Management: Encourage team members to update their devices regularly, install anti-malware software, and avoid downloading suspicious apps.
- Safe Remote Work Practices: Share tips for using public Wi-Fi safely and recommend using personal hotspots or VPNs when working from public locations.
5. Regularly Update and Patch Software
Keeping software and systems up-to-date is essential to address security vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software to gain unauthorised access to networks. Regular patching ensures that your business network remains protected against the latest threats. To ensure timely updates, enable automatic updates for operating systems, security software, and applications to reduce the risk of human error. You should also keep an eye on software vendors’ security updates, as these may indicate vulnerabilities in your current tools and systems.
6. Monitor Network Activity and Establish an Incident Response Plan
Network monitoring helps detect unusual activity that could indicate a security breach, such as unauthorised logins or data transfers. Regular monitoring can help identify potential issues before they escalate, providing an early warning system for IT administrators.
In addition to monitoring, make sure to develop a plan that outlines steps to take if a security breach occurs, including how to notify affected parties and steps for containment and recovery. Regular audits can also help identify and address security gaps in your network infrastructure.
Conclusion
Securing a business network with remote teams requires a multi-layered approach, leveraging tools such as firewalls, VPNs, and authentication protocols. By investing in these tools and ensuring employees are trained in cybersecurity best practices, your business can create a secure network environment that supports remote work without compromising on safety or performance.
