How to Ensure Security for Your Remote Workers
How to Ensure Security for Your Remote Workers

Remote work is more critical than ever: Five infosec leaders share five timely lessons.

The way we work changed in response to COVID-19. The “new normal” is here to stay. Today, ensuring security for remote workers is more critical than ever. Organizations across the globe must rely on the IT department for technology solutions, especially as they relate to remote work.

During a recent virtual forum hosted by SIM San Diego, four CISOs and one Director of Cybersecurity discussed how their organizations are ensuring security for remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group revealed trends in cybersecurity best practices and compliance among technology teams. You can use their feedback to gauge how your team is handling its response to business continuity concerns in this new-normal world of virtual collaboration.

1. Trust your communication and self-help documentation

Source: Gary Hayslip, CISO, Softbank

Gary Hayslip explained that Softbank was 100% cloud when COVID-19 hit. Aside from partnering with HR, their IT processes remained intact — business as usual. Most employees worked off a laptop and used Saas tools in the office, so preparing for the work-from-home environment wasn’t too tricky.

As a cloud-based company, initial action included using desktop apps for IT support. Employees with a laptop needed nothing more than login credentials. This feature connects remote workers with live help and immediate information to combat potential security or device issues.

However, Gary’s tech team also deploys self-help documents, which they regularly push out to staff. The dual-action approach decreases support tickets and reduces fatigue among the IT team, allowing them to focus on more important projects.

A cybersecurity leader for the company, Gary continuously educates the company on critical security threats. And today’s biggest threat is highly-targeted phishing attempts: malicious parties hide behind COVID-19 emails, a fascinating subject in anyone’s inbox. So Gary’s team engages staff members to demonstrate what to look for when spotting risky emails — it’s a game of education and constant communication.

Gary believes that communication is the most essential factor when ensuring security from remote workers. Open and easy-to-use tools empower people to seek help in potentially harmful situations. Tools such as Slack and video conferencing are a must for any security team.
['The Carrera Agency Designing North']
['Cybersecurity', 'Remote Working', 'Information Technology', 'Covid 19', 'Leadership']