In the post-Covid world of remote and global employees, companies have had to deal with new, and more, cyber threats than ever before. As a result, cloud security managed services and some other features have become crucial to keeping a secure network for remote employees. Below are the 4 essential components to focus on.
Zero-trust model
The zero trust model is a security framework that means all users, be it inside or outside of the organization’s network, is to be continuously validated, authenticated, and authorized before being granted access to applications and data. Zero trust means that there is no traditional network edge, instead, networks can be in the cloud or a hybrid combination of local and cloud, and resources are anywhere and accessed anywhere.
Ultimately, this framework can secure infrastructure and data in a way that’s prepared for a modern digital transformation. It’s grounded in remote access to networks, making it ideal for hybrid cloud environments.
VPN – Securing your network connection
It’s common for remote employees to work from home, obviously. But equally, they may decide to work from an AirBnB in a holiday resort, or a cafe in the city center – you just don’t know. Because of the rise in remote access, cybercriminals are targeting this weak point, making VPNs absolutely essential in securing employees’ network connections.
The encryption used in VPNs’ secure network connection means that it’s more difficult for cybercriminals to monitor your activity. But, securing your network connection can also mean setting up hardware controls, software controls (i.e. only allowing vetted apps and websites on the device), as well as administrative controls. In other words, give your employees a work laptop that is secure.
Education
Employees will likely have had cybersecurity training and education in the past, but it’s likely to be outdated since transitioning to being remote. Phishing attacks are way more common, password practices are more important than ever, and so is keeping your network and such secure. Multi-factor authentication should be used by employees, and they should be trained in spotting social engineering and phishing attempts.
Training should also cover what to do when incidents do occur, as well as data privacy and practices.
Protecting endpoints and cloud security
It’s vital to make sure that endpoints are secure when setting up remote access. Companies are often quick to secure their own devices, but fall short in securing the employee devices. The device needs to be secure in order for the network to be secure. This means keeping hardware up to date with anti-malware software and other defense systems, as well as installing system patches and network security updates.
Cloud security plays an important role here too. Accessing the cloud should be done with the aforementioned zero-trust model, where rigorous verification is required for all users/devices. When using third-party cloud providers, it’s important to ensure you understand and vet their security features too. Make use of the cloud security add-ons, firewalls, and penetration testing. Inevitably, cloud security managed services play a key role here for many companies.
