Remote Work: A Cybersecurity Headache?

Introduction: Remote Work Isn’t Going Away — But the Risks Are Real

Remote and hybrid working are here to stay.
They give employees freedom, improve flexibility, and reduce overhead.

But for many businesses, remote work has become a cybersecurity headache — opening up new risks they didn’t see coming.

This blog will help you understand those risks, see where you might be exposed, and take smart steps to protect your business (without locking your team down).

Why Remote Work Creates Security Gaps

In the office, you control:

• The network

• The hardware

• Physical access

• The firewalls and routers

At home?
You have no idea:

• Who else uses the Wi-Fi

• What devices are connected

• Whether updates are applied

• If the “work laptop” is also a YouTube device for the kids

Remote work extends your network — and your risk.

6 Real Risks of Remote Work

1. Home Networks Are Insecure

Many home routers:

• Still use default passwords

• Aren’t patched regularly

• Have dozens of devices connected (smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc.)

All of this expands the attack surface.

2. Personal Device Usage

Staff might access work systems from:

• Their own laptops

• Phones with no screen lock

• Devices with zero antivirus

3. Cloud Confusion

Cloud apps are great — but without proper training, staff:

• Share files with “anyone with the link”

• Use personal email to transfer data

• Store client info in personal folders

4. Phishing Gets Easier

Distractions are higher at home.
Staff are more likely to:

• Click suspicious links

• Fall for fake messages

• Respond to “urgent” requests without verifying

5. Shadow IT

Without central tools, employees start using:

• WhatsApp for client comms

• Dropbox or Google Drive for storage

• Free tools with no security track record

6. No Physical Security

Laptops can be stolen.
Screens can be seen.
Sensitive calls can be overheard.

Real Story: The Slack Screenshot That Shouldn’t Exist

A remote employee at a marketing agency took a screenshot of a conversation in Slack about a sensitive client project.

She saved it on her desktop — which was automatically synced to her personal Google Photos.

The photo was later seen by a friend… who worked for a competitor.

It wasn’t malicious — but it was embarrassing.
And it never should’ve happened.

How to Secure Your Remote Team — Without Killing Productivity

1. Create a Remote Work Security Policy

Cover things like:

• What devices are approved

• Which apps are allowed

• Where data can be stored

• What to do if a device is lost or hacked

2. Require MFA on All Apps

Simple. Free. Powerful.

Turn it on for:

• Email

• Cloud storage

• CRM/finance systems

• Messaging tools

3. Enforce Device-Level Security

All work devices (even personal ones, if used for business) should have:

• Antivirus or EDR

• Automatic updates

• Encryption

• Screen locks

• Remote wipe capability

4. Use VPNs or Encrypted Access

If staff are accessing systems that require protection, make sure they’re using a secure connection.

5. Set Up Mobile Device Management (MDM)

MDM lets you:

• Separate work and personal data

• Enforce policies

• Wipe business data remotely

6. Train Your Team

Most remote mistakes are made through:

• Confusion

• Distraction

• Poor habits

Short, regular training sessions keep awareness high.

5 Quick Wins for Remote Work Security (Today)

✅ Require MFA on email and cloud logins
✅ Ask staff to update their devices this week
✅ Review who has access to shared cloud folders
✅ Change any default router passwords
✅ Send a one-pager to staff with remote work do’s and don’ts

What to Do If You Think Something’s Gone Wrong

1. Have a plan

2. Know who to call

3. Act fast (especially with cloud access or email compromise)

4. Inform your cyber insurance provider if needed

5. Call Systems Secure for containment and recovery