Securing Remote Workforce: A Direct Guide to Cybersecurity Culture

Rapid growth of online communication inside companies as well as increased document flow became a perfect hunting ground for hackers and cybercriminals. According to Norton’s Cyber Safety Insights Report from 2023, one of today's major pain points is the significant uptick in phishing scams, conducted either via e-mail or SMS.

The most frequently mentioned industries exposed to data breaches are public administration, healthcare, finance, education, and retail. Cybercriminals eagerly target remote workers by exploiting vulnerabilities of poorly secured home networks or simply employees' lack of direct access to IT support.

Miscellaneous errors, social engineering, and system intrusion are the main pattern threats according to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report. More sophisticated phishing attacks even mimic popular communication platforms and cloud services, like WhatsApp or Microsoft Azure, tricking remote workers into giving away sensitive data.

This is extremely dangerous when it comes to smaller teams like family offices or non-profit organizations, which often tend to operate purely on trust and are way more likely to fall victim to social engineering.

The undebatable surge in ransomware attacks is also highly concerning. Not only because most of them target the main industries, but also because they leverage encryption to hold your data hostage, demanding a ransom to regain access.

Ransomware attacks often tend to cripple entire systems, forcing companies to pause operations and pay hefty sums just to recover their data. They also make the headlines in the blink of an eye and are the most debated hacking incidents on the web.

Last but not least, malware attacks. They are also a part of the biggest digital threats to the remote workforce. How do they work? Cybercriminals infuse malicious software into commonly used applications and platforms, causing significant harm to data privacy and financial resource integrity. This also links to insider threats which happen largely due to organizations failing to monitor and manage their remote workforce effectively.

Each industry has its own specifics, however, the majority of human errors happen to be similar. Therefore, we created a short summary of the most common manmade mistakes that pose a threat to the company's cybersecurity system:

• Same password for everything – Employees often use simple, easily memorable passwords, which are also easy for hackers to guess. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to systems, causing a significant data breach or disruption in business operations.
• Unsecured network connections – This is one of the most common vulnerabilities in remote work environments. When personnel work from a remote location, they may connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, which could expose sensitive company data.
• Insecure personal devices – Many remote workers use personal devices for work, which may lack the necessary security features and updates needed to protect against digital threats.
• Insufficient data encryption – In remote working environments, sensitive data may not always be encrypted during transmission. This leaves the data vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals.
• Misconfigured security settings – Incorrectly configured security settings can inadvertently leave cyber doors open for intruders, enabling them to exploit company systems and data.

With companies expanding their remote teams on and on, it is quite challenging to maintain a solid grasp of digital safety. This often leads to accidental or deliberate data breaches that cost you both time and money. With employees accessing sensitive data from various devices and locations, it is even more critical to secure each endpoint that connects to the company's network than ever before. Therefore, the lack of robust endpoint security is the key pain point here.

According to the newest IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the global average cost of cybersecurity caveats in 2023 reached 4.45 million USD. It is a 15% increase over 3 years span. To put it bluntly - it is a lot and will only get worse.

It is no secret, that the biggest threat in every cybersecurity system is still a manmade mistake. Having that in mind, many companies nowadays are heavily investing in multi-layered safety systems, like AI support, piled-up authentication tools, or automatization methods. This, however, also involves planning, execution, follow-up evaluations, and regular updates, not to mention the personnel training or revisions of the whole cybersecurity program.

A smooth transition to a culture of high-level cyber defense requires more than just technical strategies. The solutions mentioned above are effective, but modern times often demand different perspectives and a fresh approach. Therefore, the real question is: how can you take cybersecurity inside your organization to the next level - today? Is it possible to make it quick, smooth, and durable?

Let’s take a closer look at strategies and methods used as online safety measures today. From advanced firewalls and antivirus software to regular employee training and awareness programs, the current cybersecurity realm involves an array of tactics including:

• Obligatory password managers – a program, addon, or service that keeps all the employee's passwords and access keys in a secure place. Such a tool seeps up the processes inside the company but also allows people to use complicated and randomized passwords which are much harder for hackers to break.
• Virtual private network (VPN) – a service that creates an encrypted online connection between your employee and online server. It also protects the online identity of the user by communicating through multiple random servers all around the world. It is today’s must–have in the world of the remote workforce.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – a user verification method that requires two or more factors to gain access to a sensitive company’s data. Multiple layers of checkpoints make it remarkably harder for cybercriminals to break through. Examples: one-time password tokens (OTP tokens), biometric login confirmations, FIDO2, etc.
• End-to-end encryption – an effective and popular method of any data encryption. Every file is encrypted on the sender's end while being possible to decrypt only once - on the recipient's end. This tactic massively curbs the chance of data interception. It also helps to ensure that any communication inside your company's network is accessible only to the intended parties.
• Network segmentation – a very wise IT practice that limits the lateral movement of attackers, reduces the attack surface, and facilitates granular access controls. Isolating critical company systems reduces the impact of security incidents and aligns with regulatory compliance requirements.
• Regular software and system update policy – a seriously overlooked strategy that is crucial for a company's cybersecurity environment in the long run. Frequent updates not only provide new features and performance enhancements but also patch up the most recently known security vulnerabilities, thus closing doors for potential data breaches.
• Data backup – a policy that helps safeguard your business against data loss, enabling quick recovery in the event of a security breach. This approach becomes especially useful during ransomware or malware attacks.

According to some voices, enriched device authentication (FIDO2) is going to win in the consumer marketplace since it is phishing-resistant. Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple, are already supporting this solution.

It is no secret that the long-anticipated shift to passwordless authentication in enterprise settings might see significant traction this year. After all, biometrics, such as fingerprint and facial scanning, emerge as a logical choice for widespread adoption in many fields including i.e. POS systems.

Moreover, these methods exhibit enhanced resilience against attacks and fraud compared to conventional methods like SMS or email-based one-time passcodes. Cyber Asset ASM and External Surface ASM are also on the rise for 2024.

There are basically two recognizable trending paths in 2024: The first one is all about the protection of ever-growing sensitive data mass. The second one focuses on reducing the sensitive information used for profiling and verification to a minimum. Therefore, messengers like Direct are going to be true game-changers in the upcoming years. Zero data collection, no user profiling, and no data retention whatsoever – that is the future.

Another visible trend is the rise of cooperation between CSOs, CISOs, and CEOs from different companies. This shift happens in response to persistent economic uncertainty and constrained budgets as well as new technologies. A recent talk between Sam Altman, a co-founder of OPEN AI and Loopt, and Bill Gates, creator of Microsoft is a clear confirmation of this trend.

In navigating this landscape, C-suite individuals are most probably going to focus on risk prioritization, optimization of budget allocation, and proactive investment in both online and offline security measures. This only emphasizes even more strongly the need for private, secure communication channels that allow encrypting any file, managing access points, etc.

Finally, there are AI and machine learning technologies used for proactive threat detection and response. These technologies can analyze patterns and behaviors to identify potential threats before they cause damage. They also help in automating security tasks, freeing up resources for other critical operations.

Incoming solutions worth considering in 2024:

• Privacy-focused communication platforms
• Biometry verification solutions 
• Risk-based vulnerability management
• Attack surface management
• Security posture tools for applications, cloud, and data
• Attack path management and security control validation

Creating a secure communication environment inside your company is more than just up-to-date technology. It's a multi-step process that embraces employee education, conducting training, and using the right tools at the right time. But does it have to be so painstakingly engaging? Most certainly not.

First of all, equip your remote workforce with one of the solid end-to-end encrypted messenger apps like Direct. It is a data-free by-design solution that provides you with top digital privacy features like panic passwords, access management, digital vaults, and many more.

Secondly, establish a clear and robust communication policy inside your company. Even the most secure and private tools don’t grant you total immunity and most certainly not VPN alone. Integrating information on widely recognized standards such as ISO 27001 or GDPR compliance would be beneficial for businesses aiming to align with global cybersecurity benchmarks. Your communication policy should address issues such as:

1. Handling and sharing of sensitive company data;
2. Access hierarchy
3. Usage of personal devices for work;
4. Procedures to follow in case of a breach.

Regular training sessions or data breach simulations are also worth considering, however, they are most effective within complicated and multi-layered cybersecurity systems that require know-how. Whenever you think about family offices, think tanks, or high-level level groups it is much better to not leave a trace instead of covering it.

Already having the policy and secured communication channels? Cultivate a security-conscious culture then. Promoting transparency and open communication can become extremely beneficial for the company's future and aligns perfectly with modern times.

After all, employees should feel comfortable with reporting any suspicious activities or potential security threats without fear of reprisal. Safety at your business should be as intuitive and natural as possible.

The key takeaway of the article is: For data safety upgrades consider privacy-first solutions. Reducing the amount of sensitive information, creating a cybersecurity culture, and switching to zero-data retention tools inside your company is beneficial not only in the short term but also in the long-term perspective. Direct apps can be a valuable partner in this journey. It offers a robust set of features like:

• Zero data collection: The platform refrains from collecting any personal information, user metadata, or communication content.
• End-to-end encryption: Utilizes robust encryption protocols to ensure that messages and data are only accessible to the intended recipients, providing a high level of privacy.
• No user profiling: Does not engage in user profiling activities or tracking user behavior to build targeted advertising or analytics.
• Anonymous usage: Allows users to use the platform without requiring them to disclose personal details or create accounts tied to identifiable information.
• No data retention: The platform does not store or retain user messages, files, or any other data, ensuring that once a communication is completed, it is not stored on the platform's servers.
• Transparent privacy policies: Clearly communicates privacy policies to users, detailing the platform's commitment to data-free practices and user confidentiality.
• Open source: Provides transparency by making its source code open to scrutiny, allowing users and experts to verify the absence of data collection practices.
• Minimal metadata: If any metadata is collected for operational purposes, it is kept to an absolute minimum and is not used for tracking or profiling users.
• Regular security audits: Conducts regular security audits and assessments to ensure the platform's resilience against potential vulnerabilities and threats.
• User empowerment: Prioritizes user control over their own data, providing options for users to manage and delete their information at their discretion.

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This article is based on:

• IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023,
• CISA’s 2023 Guide to Securing Remote Access Software,
• Norton’s Cyber Safety Insights Report 2023,
• Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report