How Can SMBs Minimize Cybersecurity Risks With Remote Staff?

Unpatched virtual private networks (VPNs) and network configuration issues are two common infrastructure vulnerabilities that can leave your business at risk of cyber threats, particularly if you have a remote or hybrid workforce.

Although some businesses have opted to bring their employees back into the office, others have elected to allow employees the flexibility of working in the office or remotely from home.

While this solution can benefit both employees and the employers themselves, it can also bring with it increased cybersecurity challenges.

In this article, we’ll explore why having remote and hybrid staff can add to the cybersecurity issues and what security controls businesses can put in place to minimize risk.

After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of hidden security flaws that cybercriminals could exploit and how to shore up your defenses against potential threats.

How Do Hybrid And Remote Work Environments Increase Security Risks?

Although there may be no real difference between how employees working on premises and those working remotely perform their jobs, the cybersecurity risks for remote staff can be significantly higher than for entirely on-premises staff.

When remote employees and contractors need to access resources on your network, they need a reliable and secure internet connection to do so. Several issues, however, can create security gaps that attackers could exploit.

Those risks can include:

1. Remote Access Vulnerabilities

• A virtual private network (VPN) is the encrypted tunnel that allows users to safely connect to your organization’s network, databases, applications, systems, and other resources.

• VPNs that are poorly configured or mismanaged can allow cybercriminals to eavesdrop, steal login credentials, compromise or steal data, inject malware, or cause other harm.

• Employees could also be using unsecured home networks or accessing public Wi-Fi at their local coffee shop, while traveling, or elsewhere.

2. Personal Device Use

• Employees may be using their own personal desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones (bring your own device or BYOD), which can create more opportunities for cybercriminals to strike.

• The use of personal devices also means your IT team lacks visibility across your entire infrastructure. Without a secure connection to your network, these devices can’t be monitored, tracked, or managed to find and neutralize cyber threats.

3. Sharing Company Equipment

• Just as BYOD can introduce vulnerabilities, the same can be said when a remote employee allows a spouse, child, or other person in the home to use their work computer or other device.

• Depending on the employee’s role and access permissions allowed, those individuals not affiliated with your company could potentially gain access to parts of your network and databases that would normally be out of bounds.

4. Outdated & Unpatched Technology

• Employees working from home could be using hardware and software long past their intended life cycles, whether they are personal or company-owned devices.

• This raises the possibility of hardware and software that has reached its end of life and is no longer getting critical security patches and updates from the manufacturer. Such cybersecurity vulnerabilities create an easy, backdoor entry point for attackers to infiltrate your systems.

5. Poor Cyber Hygiene

• Employees working from home may not believe they need to have strong security controls. Because of this, they may have poor cyber hygiene practices, such as:

• not using strong passwords instead of easily guessable ones

• not using multi-factor authentication

• not using antivirus and anti-malware software

• using unapproved applications or add-ons for file-sharing, communicating, and performing other job-related tasks could also open the door for a cyber incident or accidental data loss to happen

• not being educated on how to spot and avoid different types of phishing attacks and other common social engineering cyber threats

How Can Managed IT Help Businesses With Remote Employees Boost Their Cybersecurity?

Managed IT service providers (MSPs) can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have adopted a remote or hybrid business model improve their overall cybersecurity defenses.

An experienced MSP can help you:

Establish security standards

• Ensure that all employees are using a secure VPN whenever accessing your network and internal IT resources. An MSP can install the necessary software onto the devices assigned to each remote employee for multi-factor authentication or other user verification.
  
  
• Require remote staff to adopt robust security protections including MFA, strong passwords, regular software updates and security patches, and antivirus and anti-malware software—all of which an MSP can pre-load onto the devices designated for remote staff and contractors.

Verify user access control permissions

• An MSP can make sure that your user access permissions are configured correctly so that individuals are able to access just the information needed to do their jobs.
  
  
• Verify that permissions have been modified or cancelled for staff following job changes or departures.

Create and implement comprehensive cybersecurity policies

• Such policies should cover, among other things, the use of personal devices and sharing of company equipment with others.
  
  
• Develop an incident response plan (IRP) so that employees know who to contact in the event they suspect a cyber incident has occurred and what your established protocols are to follow.

Provide employee cybersecurity awareness training

• Perhaps one of the most important ways businesses can strengthen their cybersecurity is by educating all of their employees on what to watch for with new and emerging cyber threats and how to avoid those traps.
  
  
• Such regular, ongoing training should include real-world simulations of cyber incidents to help users be prepared to spot them.

Manage Mobile Devices

• An MSP offering mobile device management ensures that your mobile devices stay connected, properly configured, compatible, and patched to help improve endpoint security and reduce threat risks.

The Bottom Line: Securing Your Business With A Remote Workforce

Despite some pullback, remote and hybrid business models appear to be hear to stay. Knowing this, cybercriminals are constantly on the prowl for any weaknesses they can pounce on to gain unauthorized access into your network.

At Kelser, we have more than 40 years helping small and medium-sized business gain a competitive advantage by implementing the right tools and systems to keep their businesses running smoothly and securely.

If you’d like to schedule a brief chat to discuss the security issues you’re facing, simply click the button and fill out the brief form.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is managed IT right for my business?

Managed IT services are designed to help organizations address the growing complexity of today’s security landscape, especially for businesses with remote or hybrid teams. If you’re looking to reduce internal IT strain, improve operational efficiency, or mitigate cyber risks, managed IT could be a highly effective solution. Kelser tailors managed IT strategies to your unique needs, industry requirements, and compliance obligations.

2. How much will managed IT cost my business?

Pricing for managed IT reflects the customized level of support, cybersecurity, and proactive management your business requires. Factors include the number of users, devices, locations, and the specific services you need—such as 24/7 help desk, cloud support, data backup, and regulatory compliance. We prioritize transparency and will work with you to build a solution that fits your budget and delivers measurable value.

3. How can I meet regulatory and insurance cybersecurity requirements?

Kelser specializes in helping businesses achieve and maintain compliance with regulations like NIST 800-171, CMMC, HIPAA, and insurance mandates. We provide solutions such as, CUI discovery, gap analysis, ongoing vulnerability assessment, peneration testing, document and audit preperation. Our team keeps you ahead of evolving standards, enabling you to secure sensitive data, reduce liability, and qualify for cyber insurance coverage.