Businesses face several cybersecurity challenges with remote working. Here’s a list of the top ten risks.

1. Insecure home networks – employees often use personal or poorly secured Wi-Fi networks, increasing vulnerability to cyberthreats.
2. Phishing attacks – cybercriminals exploit remote workers through phishing emails, fake websites, and social engineering scams. A significant 74% of data breaches involve human error, and phishing is one of the primary methods attackers use to exploit remote workers (Verizon).
3. Use of personal devices (‘bring your own device’ or BYOD) – personal devices may lack adequate security controls, making them easy targets for malware and unauthorised access.
4. Weak passwords and lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) – employees may use weak or reused passwords, increasing the risk of having their credentials stolen.
5. Unsecured file sharing and data leaks – employees may use unapproved apps or cloud services to share files, leading to data exposure. Without real-time monitoring and encryption, sensitive company data shared via collaboration tools, like Microsoft Teams or Slack, can be intercepted by attackers. Solutions like SOTERIA™ mitigate this risk by monitoring communications and enabling regulatory compliance audits.
6. Virtual private network (VPN) and end point security gaps – VPNs, if not properly configured or updated, can be weak links, and end point devices without proper security software can become compromised.
7. Lack of employee awareness and training – many remote-working employees aren’t well-trained in recognising cyberthreats, making them more susceptible to cyberattacks.
8. Insider threats and unauthorised access – remote working can make it harder for management to monitor user activity, increasing the risk of insider threats or accidental data exposure.
9. Shadow IT – employees may use unapproved applications or cloud services, creating security blind spots for IT teams.
10. Compliance and legal challenges – companies have to make sure that remote work adheres to industry regulations like GDPR, CCPA or HIPAA. This can be difficult when data is being accessed from multiple locations. Non-compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA can result in fines exceeding millions. In 2023, Meta was fined €1.2 billion for violating GDPR (European Data Protection Board). Implementing geo-diverse data storage solutions like FUSION ensures data remains compliant across multiple jurisdictions.

Strategies for mitigating the risks inherent in remote working

Secure home and public networks

Make sure employees have to use encrypted Wi-Fi (WPA3 or WPA2). Give them a company-managed VPN to encrypt all traffic and encourage them to avoid using public Wi-Fi or mobile hotspots.

Strengthen authentication and access controls

Enforce the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all employee user accounts and single sign-on solutions to reduce password reuse risks. Implement zero trust security, requiring identity verification for every access request.

Prevent phishing and social engineering attacks

Conduct regular security awareness training on phishing and scams. Consider running phishing simulations to test employee responses. Make use of email filtering tools to block malicious emails.

Secure devices and end points

Make everyone use company-issued laptops with pre-configured security settings. Enforce end point detection and response solutions. Enable automatic security updates on all devices. Make full-disk encryption a requirement to protect sensitive data.

Control data access and sharing

Implement role-based access control to limit data exposure. Use secure cloud storage with encrypted file-sharing. Disable USB drives and enforce data loss prevention policies.

Monitor and detect threats

Deploy security information and event management (SIEM) systems for real-time monitoring. Use AI-based threat detection to identify unusual activity and conduct regular remote security audits to check compliance.

Secure collaboration and communication tools

Use end-to-end encrypted messaging and video conferencing tools. Restrict access to company-approved applications only and implement logging and monitoring for file-sharing platforms.

Manage insider threats and shadow IT

Run user behaviour analytics to detect suspicious activity. Enforce policies against unauthorised software installations. Conduct exit security protocols for departing employees.

Maintain compliance and legal standards

Regularly review the company’s compliance with industry regulations (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA, etc.). Ensure the secure handling of personally identifiable information (PII) and implement auditing and reporting measures for regulatory needs.

Find out more about our data privacy management solution PRECOGNIQ

Implement an incident response plan

Create an internal remote security response team for quick action. Establish clear reporting protocols for security breaches and conduct regular cybersecurity drills to test response effectiveness.

Find out more about our next-gen compliance and risk management solutions

Solution example: SOTERIA™ by Insightful Technology

Insightful Technology’s  SOTERIA™ compliance solution captures, encrypts and stores data enabling surveillance of multimedia communications in real time. This comprehensive approach ensures that sensitive information is protected throughout its life cycle, helping businesses meet stringent data protection regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.

“By 2028, 80% of digital communications governance and archiving customers will consolidate the supervision of text- and audio/video-based content to a common solution, which is a major increase from fewer than 20% in 2024.” *

Key Features of SOTERIA™

• • Holistic communication capture: SOTERIA™ enables the compliant capture of various communication data types, including voice, video, instant messaging, and screen sharing. This ensures that all interactions are recorded and available for monitoring and auditing purposes.

• • Real-time encryption and storage: captured data is encrypted in real time, both during transmission and at rest. This dual-layer encryption safeguards sensitive information from unauthorised access and potential breaches. 

• • Customisable surveillance and alerts: permissioned users can configure workflows and set up monitoring parameters with triggered alerts. This proactive approach allows for the prompt detection and response to potential compliance issues or data breaches. 

• • E-discovery and case management: SOTERIA™ offers an end-to-end workflow for preserving, collecting, analysing, reviewing, and exporting information. These features are essential for robust legal compliance and insightful internal investigations, ensuring that all data is handled systematically and securely.

• • Regulatory compliance support: by integrating SOTERIA™, businesses can confidently meet strict record-keeping, communications monitoring, and reporting requirements mandated by regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. The platform’s comprehensive data handling and security measures align with these standards, facilitating compliance. 

SOTERIA™ serves as a robust compliance solution that not only monitors and records communications but also implements stringent data protection protocols. This ensures that sensitive information remains secure, and businesses can adhere to evolving data privacy regulations effectively.

To find out more about SOTERIA™ and Insightful Technology’s other solutions, email [email protected]

* Source: Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Communications Governance and Archiving Solutions, 8 January 2025. Insightful Technology was given an honourable mention in this Magic Quadrant.