Top 5 cybersecurity risks of remote work

5 ways dedicated teams mitigate remote work cyberthreats

Learn how we handle cybersecurity challenges daily, protecting our clients' data and assets while consistently delivering high-quality results.

1. Unencrypted file sharing

Uploading and sharing corporate data via unsafe communication channels seems harmless - until the data is gone. 61% of employees choose email over other communication tools, often without appropriate encryption, putting sensitive data at risk.

46% of remote employees

used a personal cell phone to scan or take document photos for work.

How do we mitigate that risk?

Our dedicated teams use the same tools and channels as your in-house workers to send work updates and share files, adopting security protocols laid out by your company.

We use Microsoft 365 to ensure our cloud environment sits within your region and remains GDPR-compliant. Additionally, our local storage hardware is encrypted with BitLocker/FileVault.

“Pwrteams are very direct, and we can talk to them 24/7. They do networking, security, and a whole range of IT related services, also setting up our wireless network.”

Dominique Pierard

Operations Manager of Offshore Activities, RealDolmen/GFI

2. Unsecured networks

Working from home doesn’t always mean working from home. Remote employees often use public places like co-working spaces, hotels, and coffee shops. And guess what? That means they’re on unsafe internet connections. Hackers can easily snag login details and access corporate platforms, bank accounts, and other sensitive info.

How do we mitigate that risk?

To provide you with a safety guarantee, we set up a monitored Internet network protected by a firewall and VPN. In case of a security breach, we can quickly detect the source of the problem and restore the network traffic to safety. Our Clients come from industries like finance, healthcare, and travel, which are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. That’s why we prioritize building secure infrastructure and ongoing employee training to maintain robust protection.

3. Compromised devices

53% of remote workers use personal equipment for work tasks, and 47% of respondents use work equipment for personal tasks. This behavior has become a norm, but it exposes corporate data to potential breaches by third parties. The same happens when employees mix personal and business credentials, creating a welcome mat for attackers to access multiple accounts with a single key.

How do we mitigate that risk?

When we onboard your new tech experts, they get equipment that fits your in-house setup. They follow all your corporate safeguards, such as multi-factor authentication, VPN connection, and antivirus software. All our remote team members also undergo rigorous training and understand the significance of safe passwords.

4. Limited control over how workers manage data

Are you concerned about the quality of remote data management? You're not the only one! Data shows that 34% of tech employees lack the training to ensure proper data protection when working remotely. To make matters worse, remote workers often aren’t as diligent about following security protocols as their on-site counterparts.

31% of employees

are less likely to follow security practices when working remotely

How do we mitigate that risk?

We prepare every team member to handle data responsibly. Our onboarding process covers security awareness training, and we regularly train and update our experts on cybersecurity. Plus, we do thorough background checks to ensure all remote workers stay compliant with the local laws and have everyone sign confidentiality agreements.

5. Transparency and accountability challenges

When you team up with an outside provider, it’s all about trust. Letting someone else handle your tech operations can feel risky, especially with sensitive data at stake.

How do we mitigate that risk?

We take every partnership seriously. We’re all about being transparent, and we make sure every contract spells out who to contact, how we’ll report, and how we’ll keep everything in line with legal requirements.

What keeps your remote teams cybersecured:

• Cloud environment and local storage encryption
• Firewall and VPN protection of the Internet connection
• Professional remote team equipment that matches your in-house setup
• Candidate background checks, confidentiality agreements, and regular security awareness training
• Transparent partnership contracts with outlined points of contact, reporting structures, and legal compliance monitoring

Remember, no safety measures will be effective if your team isn't fully aware of the threats, their scale, and the potential costs involved. This isn't just about ticking boxes with occasional training sessions; it's about fostering a security culture. We make sure everyone understands the importance of staying vigilant, from using strong, unique passwords to recognizing phishing attempts.

If cybersecurity is a big worry for you, teaming up with dedicated experts can give you peace of mind. Whether your work-from-home setup is already in place or you're just getting started with remote work, our dedicated teams seamlessly integrate and help safeguard your data.

Want to learn more about how transparent and secure your future team augmentation partnership can be? Explore our First 12 weeks with Pwrteams playbook outlining how we approach staff augmentation, resulting in long-term client relationships and high-retention teams.