Cybersecurity threats lurk around every corner, but remote workers can put companies at an even higher risk.
The more people you have accessing your company’s accounts, the higher the chance of a security incident, especially when you’re running everything in the cloud.
Most businesses use cloud-based applications to manage and store sensitive data, but this can provide a false sense of security.
The cloud can be secure, but only if all parties actively assume responsibility for their part in cybersecurity. One incident can cost your business thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
With more than 4.7 million remote workers worldwide, cloud security is more important than ever.
If you’re running a business with remote workers, whether they’re employees or contractors, here are some tips to keep your business secure.
1. Use A Secure Cloud File Storage Application
There are seemingly endless applications for storing files online, but it’s critical to use a secure platform that meets all of your needs. According to Box, cloud security includes measures like device authentication, access control, data privacy protection, and support for regulatory data compliance.
If you’ve been using a random file storage account, you probably don’t have all the security measures you need to protect your data.
Make sure you know exactly what cybersecurity measures your file storage provider offers. Is your data encrypted on the server?
Can you revoke access to files with expiring links? Can you prevent downloads? These are important features you’ll want to have.
2. Condense The Number Of File Storage Accounts You Have
Over time, it’s common to collect a bunch of file storage accounts. You might try one and find something better, or you might decide to store different types of files in different accounts.
The more accounts you have, the more likely you are to get hacked or fall victim to a data breach or a data leak.
Each provider handles security differently, so each account you have is a potential security incident waiting to happen.
If you felt the need to use multiple file storage accounts in the past to meet your needs, you don’t need to do that anymore.
Today’s file storage platforms offer a variety of features that will meet all of your needs in one place. Condense your accounts and choose one platform.
3. Don’t Store Files On Your Web Server
Sometimes it’s tempting to store files on your web server because it’s easy to send a link to a folder.
However, anything you upload to your web server isn’t secure even when you password-protect your directories.
Passwords can be hacked, and if anyone gets unauthorized access to your Webhosting account, they can either change the password or access your files directly through the file manager.
If you forget to edit your robots.txt file to discourage search engines, you could end up with all of your files indexed in the search engines.
Even when you exclude directories within your robots.txt file, there is no guarantee that search engine spiders will skip those directories.
Don’t store files on your web server unless they’re part of your website. A cloud-based web server isn’t the same as a secure cloud-based file storage account.
Also, web hosts usually prohibit using accounts for file storage, so it’s just better not to take that risk.
4. Create And Enforce A Strict IT Security Policy
Cloud security is only as secure as your weakest link. If you don’t have a strict IT security policy in place, your employees are your weakest link.
For instance, they might be accessing company accounts from unsecured, public Wi-Fi, letting people borrow their devices, or sharing login credentials.
When you tighten up your security policies, you’ll reduce the potential for preventable cyberattacks.
5. Know Your Role In The Shared Responsibility Model
It’s impossible for any piece of software to be 100% secure as is because security is a shared responsibility between the developer and the end-user.
A software developer can only secure an application to a certain degree. The end-user also needs to implement certain security measures, like changing certain settings, implementing specific configurations, and controlling access.
User error is the leading cause of cyberattacks, which means the buck stops with you. To prevent security incidents, know your role in the shared responsibility model and implement every security feature needed to fulfill your role.
Educate Your Remote Workers
The best way to get your remote workers to take cybersecurity seriously is to educate them.
Sometimes people continue bad habits out of convenience, but when they understand the consequences, they’ll start doing things the right way.
Educate your workers and don’t hesitate to enforce a strict policy. You can’t afford to give second chances when it comes to your data security.
