Quick Tips to Improve Data Security in a Remote Workforce

COVID-19 saw huge changes in the structure of the workforce, with 557 million workers swapping their usual offices for home offices in the second quarter of 2020. This revolution of remote home workers has continued to increase the demand for the development of solutions for hybrid-remote workforces across the UK. But despite the advances in technology and connectivity, many organisations and their employees are especially vulnerable when accessing their data and maintaining privacy and security.

While COVID-19 may be slowly coming to an end, the rise of home working is not slowing down, and many businesses are choosing to make remote positions permanent for their employees. To successfully continue with the remote workforce, businesses must take steps to ensure that data protection is prioritised outside of the office.

Practice due diligence

In the world of data security, due diligence means taking reasonable steps towards improving the security and privacy of business data. This means that business leaders should make regular assessments of data security and put solutions in place to minimise any risks that may become apparent.

A large part of practising due diligence as a business leader is to facilitate the purchasing of new equipment and software that could help to improve data security in the remote workforce. With more and more employees working from home, there are a variety of different solutions available for businesses to invest in that will help to keep your data secure.

Services that could help to improve your data security include:

• Our Fitz Managed Security Services
• A comprehensive cybersecurity audit
• Penetration testing
• Cybersecurity awareness sessions

Limit information access

In large organisations, only those that need to know the data should be able to access it. These members of staff should be properly trained in information confidentiality and have a responsibility to keep the information that they have access to private.

Keep information anonymous

When dealing with personal data, all information should be kept anonymous where possible. Instead of using employee names, try to organise data with numbers or codes. This way, the data can still be sectioned into categories, but those who handle the data will not be able to find the exact identity of the employees that are involved.

Securely share information with external parties

Moving to a remote workforce may require your business to invest in external software or use other services to improve remote working functionality. When sharing information with external parties, opt to do so through secure channels – either by password protecting information, designating specific user access or providing expiring access. Due to the straight forward nature and easy UI, many hybrid remote workplaces have begun using Microsoft SharePoint online as a way of securely managing access to its information.

Start protecting your data today

Protecting data in a remote workforce is no easy job, which is why our team of IT support specialists are on hand to help! We offer a range of fantastic data security services that could help your business to improve your data security, including: Managed Security Services (FitzMSS), Cybersecurity Audits and Penetration Testing. If you would like to know more about our fantastic IT solutions, get in touch with our team today.