Almost five years have passed since the global pandemic – COVID-19, and remote work has become the new norm. One thing is sure: remote work is here to stay. When we hear the term remote work one thing, we consider it as working from home. However, working in a hybrid working environment or using mobile devices to get your work done is also considered remote work. Without any doubt, remote work offers flexibility and convenience, but it increases security risks.

How?

Read on to understand it.

In remote work, employees and employers rely heavily on mobile devices to access the sensitive information of the company’s data. So, if the right security practices are not implemented, these devices can be the open door for hackers. In this blog, we have compiled a list of five key practices you must implement to keep your mobile device safe and sound. 

1. Turn On User Authentication

It might be possible that during remote work setup, we forget our devices in taxis, cafés, aeroplanes, and so on. Therefore, the first thing you must ensure is that all your mobile devices have the screen lock turned on. The device must require any kind of authentication, like a password, PIN, or pattern.

Nowadays, most devices come with biometric security options such as Touch ID and Face ID. However, implement MFA- multifactor authentication to take your mobile security game to the next level. No matter your chosen method, ensure all your devices remain protected. If you use the password, don’t miss the next tip.

2. Utilise Password Manager

Passwords won’t go anywhere soon, and the reality is that we all struggle to remember them. When we forget the password, we are asked to change it, which is tiring. Here is where a password manager can be your helping hand. In password manager, you can store all passwords and lock them through the master key that only you know.

Password managers not only help you store passwords, but they also generate unique passwords. So, you don’t use your birth date or dog’s name as a password.

3. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

Using Wi-Fi at café, hotels, or airports feels tempting, but never make this mistake. Whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi, you are increasing the risk of exposure to malware and hackers.

If there is any emergency and you have to use public Wi-Fi, ensure you have the VPN, which will encrypt your internet activity so hackers won’t be able to read it.

4. Remote Wipe

Today, we all lead hectic lives, so there might be a possibility that we forget our devices or our phone gets stolen in a hurry. If that happens, you must act fast. Remote wipe capabilities let employers erase all the sensitive data from the device so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So, enable a remote wipe on your device to prevent yourself from a potential data breach.

5. Update Your Device Regularly

Never ignore the software update notification. You might feel it is a hassle, but these updates are crucial for security. If you use outdated software, there will be a high chance that your device will be hacked. So, turn on the automatic software update and regularly update your OS. In the case of a laptop, once you install the new update, take a moment and restart your device. If you don’t do it, it won’t be beneficial for you.

6. Use MDM and MAM

MDM – mobile device management software lets employers manage, monitor, and secure the mobile devices used for remote work. On the other hand. MAM – mobile application management lets employers manage, monitor, and configure the applications on those mobile devices. So, install MDM and MAM because combining them will automatically become a powerful security solution. It won’t allow any unauthorized devices to access your company’s data.

7. Don’t Use Personal Devices for Work

If you want to prevent data breach risk, avoid using personal devices for work purposes. The reason behind this is that personal devices are not as secure as compared to company-issued ones. However, if a situation arises when you have to use personal devices, then ensure the device follows all security guidelines such as strong passwords, MFA, encryption, etc.

If you are an employer, ensure you limit the work your employees can do on personal devices so your sensitive information will remain safe. Also, ensure that you and your employees develop a habit of regularly backing up your data either to cloud storage or external hard drives. 

Wrap Up

That’s all from our side. Once you implement the above-discussed security practices, you can level up your mobile security game. It will significantly reduce cyberattacks. So, what are you waiting for? Implement these practices and amp up your cybersecurity of remote work environment.