The last few years have seen countless companies adopting a hybrid work model. According to a survey by Envoy, over 77% of businesses have full or part-time remote employees.

While this change comes with many benefits, as a business owner, there are three big things you need to make sure your employees are doing to keep your company's data secure, avoid online scams, and prevent being a victim of a cyber attack.

Cybercriminals know that many security measures businesses have in place in their office instantly evaporate when employees work from home. Things like firewalls, secure Wi-Fi, and restricted physical access to a computer all disappear for remote workers.

According to the global security group, the Institute for Security and Technology, businesses saw a 311% increase in Ransomware attacks in 2020 due to cyber criminals trying to exploit these trends. This has only increased as hybrid models have become more commonplace and look like they are here to stay.

But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Because these new models offer many benefits, it's just important as a business owner to know what you need in place to keep from turning a positive into a giant catastrophe through no fault of your own.

Here are three critical things you must do if you're allowing employees to work remotely:

  • Always On VPN for computers, tablets, and mobile devices to ensure that you and your data are protected no matter what device employees use or where they use it.
  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This is where you get a text or call or need to use an authentication app to log in to programs when your account is being used.
  • Set your computer screen to lock automatically. This simple measure automatically logs out and locks your computer, so someone can't just jump on and access your files and programs.

Most small businesses aren't doing these three basic things to keep your data and company from becoming victims of cybercrime. They are easy to get in place and free or inexpensive.

Want to know if your employees are putting your company at risk?

Click here to schedule a 10-minute call to discuss your situation, needs, and concerns. Then, if appropriate, we can conduct a simple security assessment for free to know if your network and data are safe.