Business security is hard enough--but security for a remote workforce? That's a whole new challenge! Today we're here to help by providing a few simple but powerful tips to help make your remote teams feel more connected, empowered, and secure. Let's get started!
The Evolution of Remote Workforce Security
Until the pandemic, most businesses were thinking in terms of on-site security. They protected their company devices, printer fleets, and even their filing cabinets with a host of familiar solutions.
Then COVID-19 showed up.
For many companies, the pandemic meant a rapid shift to fully remote work. That brought plenty of challenges, but one of the most significant was the question of security--and to address this problem, businesses layered temporary solutions on top of outdated, on-site approaches. That worked for a while.
But now remote work is here to stay, and that pile of ill-fitting solutions is going to topple down like a straw house.
The only way to fix this problem is to totally rethink security. You don't need to give your existing approach a face-lift; instead, you must rebuild the foundation, creating something entirely new so you can address all the unique needs of a remote workforce. Your teams are already in the digital world--your security approach just needs to catch up.
3 Ways to Improve Security for a Remote Workforce
So, how can you improve security for a remote workforce? Here are a few tips that make the process easier than you ever thought possible:
#1: Don't let your documents undermine your approach.
Documents are the lifeblood of business, which means you can't build a security approach without them.
Unfortunately, in a remote work environment, those documents can quickly get out of hand. That's not just a huge inefficiency--it's also a security risk. To keep files in order no matter where they were created, how many times they've been shared, or who is editing them, you need a solution like document management to help create an organizational framework. This helps keep sensitive data from getting lost or stolen through a series of honest mistakes.
#2: Pay attention to details.
When it comes to security, even the smallest detail can be a red flag. It's up to you and your teams to be especially vigilant in a remote work environment--which means you need to know what to look for. Things as small as suspicious email attachments, URLs that don't start with "https," and tricky pop-ups can lead to big security problems--so know what a "safe" online environment looks like and help employees identify any deviation from this norm.
#3: Stay flexible.
As you determine the rules for your new digital world, you might find that things are changing quickly. That means you can't afford to build a static security approach only to rebuild it again in a few days. Instead, choose tools and solutions based on how flexible they are. If your security approach can keep up with the rapid shifts of a remote workforce, it can help you navigate all the twists and turns of digital security, too.
The Secret to Security: Change Your Mindset
Security for a remote workforce will probably never be easy. In fact, with people scattered across multiple locations and using personal devices and networks, security is probably more difficult than ever.
The good news is that you don't have to agonize over every little tool and solution. Instead, you need to change your mindset--and the rest will follow.
What does that mean? Well, you already know you can't rely on the hasty approach you built in the early days of the pandemic, and you've probably guessed you can't go back to the way things were. That means you must be ready to think digitally. Networks, passwords, online workspaces, shared document storage, mobile printing, and other elements can no longer be afterthoughts; now they're the building blocks of the modern security approach, and if you leverage them appropriately, they can become a foundation for flexibility and efficiency in the future.
In conclusion, remote workforce security needs a redesign--and with tips like these, you can take the first step toward success.
Need more tech tips to get you started? Looking for tools like document management to build a solid foundation? Contact us today for all the help you need.
