Remote work has moved from a temporary fix to a long-term reality for millions of businesses, and the growing demand has left many businesses scrambling to establish policies and security protocols. Remote work comes with very real risks, and if your team is working outside the office—even part of the time—your cybersecurity strategy needs to keep up.
Long-term remote work arrangements require advanced safeguards against cyberattacks and data breaches. These tips for remote work will help both employers and employees protect their data, devices, and networks, no matter where they log in.
Benefits of Remote Working
Before diving into the risks, it’s worth acknowledging why businesses have embraced remote work in the first place. Besides newly flexible work schedules, employees report a range of genuine advantages that make the extra security precautions worthwhile:
- Increased employee retention and productivity
- Fewer interruptions from coworkers
- Reduced company overhead costs
- More family time thanks to the elimination of commutes
These benefits are worth protecting, which is why tips for remote work are worth learning.
Top Remote Security Risks for Businesses
Remote workers are often the first point of entry for cyberattacks. A threat that starts on one employee’s home network can quickly ripple through an entire organization and become a major security incident. Even if you don’t have remote employees, mobile devices like smartphones and laptops pose security risks.
These are the top remote work security issues businesses should be wary of.
Managing All Devices and Employees
Do you know what equipment your team is using, and who has access to what? Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all devices and users is critical for safety monitoring.
Insecure Passwords
We can’t overstate the importance of setting up password restrictions. The consequences of weak passwords can be severe, and instituting a system of regular, forced password changes is a simple step that many businesses miss.
Phishing Emails
Criminals who specialize in phishing scams lure individuals into providing sensitive information, including banking, credit card, and password information. Individuals and businesses lost more than $3.5 billion in 2019 from email phishing scams.
Using Unsecured Personal Devices & Networks
Everyone, from freelancers and full-time employees to consultants and partners, is often working on a slew of unsecured devices in a mash-up of operating systems and networks. As a result, they’re more vulnerable to network threats that are less common in the office.
Video Attacks
“Zoom-bombing”—where hackers hijack video meetings to spread malicious content—has become an increasingly common threat. Video platforms require their own layer of protection from this kind of attack.
Weak Backup and Recovery Systems
A good offense is the best defense. In a worst-case scenario, having a reliable backup and recovery system can save your business. Having a team of experts to take you from a break-fix mentality to a proactive maintenance schedule is worth its weight in gold.
Read: Why Your Business Needs a Network IT Assessment
Remote Work Security: What the Data Shows
The scale of the remote work security challenge is significant. Remote and hybrid work remain a major part of the labor force, with Gallup reporting that 78% of U.S. full-time employees in remote-capable jobs now work either hybrid or fully remote. At the same time, many organizations still lack basic protections for distributed teams.
The UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 found that only 31% of businesses used a VPN for staff connecting remotely, and just 40% had any form of two-factor authentication in place for networks or applications. These gaps make following the right tips for remote work more important than ever.
Remote Security Best Practices for Employers
A strong remote security policy is critical to daily operations and network resilience. Here are some tactics employers can take to protect their data, no matter their location.
1. Migrate your business applications to the cloud
Cloud applications like Office 365 and QuickBooks Online offer 24/7 access. They include regularly updated security features that are compliant with industry regulations.
2. Require employees to connect over VPNs
Virtual public networks, or VPNs, are similar to firewalls. They’re one of the most popular security tools for remote workers because they protect data in transit by extending your corporate network’s security to remote devices, regardless of what network an employee is using.
3. Install multi-factor authentication
Many businesses resist instituting multi-factor authentication because, honestly, it’s a hassle. Waiting for an authentication code is a step many people would rather not take. However, this is one of the most effective tips for remote work when it comes to preventing security breaches.
4. Implement BYOD/MDM policies
Enforcing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies protects users from a range of attacks by establishing boundaries for how personal devices can be used for work purposes and how they’re monitored.
5. Use password managers
Require employees to use encrypted password software to help generate and store complex, unique passwords without the risk of forgetting them or reusing weak ones. Popular password managers include:
6. Train employees on best practices
Documented security guidelines take the guesswork out of employee behavior. Consistent training is one of the most cost-effective tips for remote work security available to any organization.
7. Encrypt sensitive data
Encrypting files and communications ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to unauthorized parties. Following these tips for remote work is important to help ensure data safety and reduce vulnerabilities.
8. Monitor devices and accounts
Proactive monitoring tools can flag unusual behavior—like logins from unfamiliar locations or large data transfers—before they become full-blown incidents.
Remote Security Best Practices for Employees
Users can become complacent about cybersecurity practices, assuming your company’s IT department takes responsibility for protecting them even outside of the office. But employees are the first line of defense. These tips for remote work should apply to anyone logging in from outside the office.
9. Run software updates regularly
Whether employees are using company equipment or their own devices, make sure they know how to run software updates. Software updates or patches can include new or enhanced features, improve software stability, add security measures, and remove outdated features. Activate automatic updates on all remote devices to deploy patches regularly.
10. Secure video meetings
Using Zoom for video conferencing? Keep the following tips in mind to secure your Zoom meetings:
- Consider only using paid accounts to gain access to advanced security features
- Use a unique ID and password for calls
- Create a waiting room to prevent people from joining calls unexpectedly
- Make sure only hosts can share their screen
- Lock a meeting once it begins
11. Watch out for email phishing
High on the list of tips for remote work is don’t open or click on suspicious emails. Cybercriminals use phishing to entice users to share data and login credentials, typically through an email, instant message, or text message. While IT security measures can help, phishing defense starts with employee awareness. When in doubt, verify directly with the sender through a separate channel.
12. Create strong passwords
Unique passwords are a necessary security precaution that many employees fail to take seriously. Don’t rely on easily hacked passwords (like “password123”). Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols—and never reuse passwords across accounts.
13. Never leave your bag, briefcase, or laptop unattended.
Leaving your laptop unattended can compromise data and cause serious security headaches. Always lock your devices when not in use, and never leave them unattended in an unsecured location.
14. Use caution with wireless networks
Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks make it easier for cybercriminals to access emails and passwords. Don’t work from a coffee shop or other public space unless necessary, or use a VPN whenever connecting outside your home network.
15. Keep your work separate
Thirty to forty percent of employee internet activity is non-work-related, affecting not only productivity but also inviting security threats. A company laptop is for an employee’s business use only. Personal tasks should be done separately from a business laptop or other mobile device.
Amp Up Your Organization’s Cybersecurity with Helixstorm
Putting these tips for remote work into practice takes more than good intentions—it takes the right systems, policies, and support structure. If you’re nervous about your current remote security policies, give Helixstorm a call. We’ll assess and implement the precautions necessary to ensure your remote employees can work safely and productively.
At Helixstorm, we’re committed to excellent customer service and continuously strive to exceed your expectations. Our certified engineers provide 24/7 managed IT and cybersecurity services designed to protect your team wherever they work.
Contact us today to chat about how our managed IT support services can help your organization work confidently from anywhere.
