What kind of cybersecurity do employees need when working from home now? Let’s find out.
Cybersecurity Working From Home
During COVID-19, many security operations teams face a storm of concerns. For one, the attack surface gets wider as criminals exploit fear around the pandemic. So, how do organizations adapt?
No doubt, the working conditions now become challenging. Now more than ever, we need good cybersecurity.
In this article, we will cover some practical cybersecurity advice you can follow when working from home.
Cybersecurity Tips When Working From Home
Enable the team to work securely
Security teams should encourage employees to maintain secure working practices. Aside from that, they should regularly check in with employees and see if they need help.
For example, employees who live with roommates, parents, or children may not discuss company information where they may be overheard. If this arrangement is not possible, they should still reinforce guidelines.
Companies can also consider flexibility in shift schedules. They can allow employees to work at a time when privacy is possible, for instance.
Recreate their workstations
Most employees are used to working with several monitors. These are not just preferences. Rather, they make security experts work more quickly and efficiently.
So, companies should also be prepared to fund their needs. Now, BYOD is a common practice for employees who work from home.
But, it can compromise a lot of things. Aside from being their productivity, it can even put the company’s resources in harm.
Protect the SOC infrastructure
Much more so, companies should keep their systems well secured. It’s also worth checking for them if these networks are properly configured.
For instance, most employees now who work remotely use their Wi-Fi networks. Some even use public ones in cafes. But, this practice is highly discouraged.
For one, it can be a way for criminals to attack their devices. So, giving an alternative VPN helps companies protect their critical systems.
Adapt resourcing models
Now, there is a risk of analysts becoming sick during the pandemic period. They can also be less productive at work as they look after their children while at home.
So, companies should apply good resource models. As a result, they can allow employees to prepare for capacity challenges.
Some even studied the length of shifts and their impact on the physical and mental health of security experts. So, companies can also consider time for employees to “switch off” from their work environments.
Gear your tools to the cybersecurity threat landscape
As mentioned, the attack surface gets wider now in the COVID-19 crisis. The new threat landscape also has many cyberattacks and phishing campaigns.
When things were normal, SIEM tooling may be enough to detect many levels of suspicious activity. But, companies should be prepared for those levels to change now.
For one thing, joiners, movers, and leavers may be more frequent now. And that can cause issues with system privileges.
That’s why security teams should regularly review SIEM systems. Then, they should see if they are still effective with the new threat landscape. Companies can also consider using automation to detect these threats and respond to them.
