While strong cybersecurity is critical, organizations should take a balanced approach that considers users’ needs.
If it were up to IT security teams, all systems would be locked down tight with the most robust security controls. Unfortunately, users wouldn’t be very happy.
Given that hundreds of millions of Americans were affected by data breaches last year, most users are aware of the consequences of weak security. Nevertheless, they still tend to be annoyed by cumbersome login processes and strict security policies. As consumers, users expect a seamless experience with apps and tools and will settle for nothing less in the workplace.
This makes cybersecurity even more challenging for IT teams, particularly given the rise of remote and mobile work models. With increasing numbers of cyber threats targeting the remote workforce, the challenge for most organizations is to enhance security in ways that don’t inhibit user productivity.
Remote Work Risks
Remote work gives employees greater flexibility and can even improve productivity. However, many IT teams are still struggling to adapt to the unique challenges posed by remote workers. Many IT teams lack the tools they need to manage remote devices and ensure that they are up to date, secure and performing optimally. In a 2023 survey by Statista, 72 percent of IT pros said they were very or somewhat concerned about the security risks of remote work.
Lacking the built-in security measures that they enjoyed in an office setting, remote workers have become targets for a range of threats. A study by Armis found that cyberattacks increased 104 percent year over year in 2023, and attributes the enhanced risk to the complexity of protecting on-premises, cloud and remote environments.
Security Shortcuts
Some of the problems stem from the diverse and inconsistent equipment remote workers use. Many organizations expect employees to use their own systems and software. Workers may be performing essential business tasks on older PCs and laptops that lack adequate processing power and security protections.
Security is often a casualty of this environment. When company security policies and practices seem too cumbersome, workers tend to ignore them or find workarounds to make their jobs easier. Shortcuts such as reusing passwords, sharing sensitive information by email, leaving apps and systems unpatched, or connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks all increase the risk of data loss, malware infections, ransomware attacks and more.
While security is obviously a high priority, IT leaders also understand that the success of long-term remote work strategies may ultimately hinge on delivering an acceptable user experience.
Tips for Balancing Security and Productivity
Here are some ways that organizations can protect an expanding threat surface without impeding productivity:
Improve remote access. Virtual private networks have been the standard remote access technology for years, but the staggering increase in remote traffic is overwhelming VPN capacity. Users commonly report unreliable connections, and unpatched VPNs have also become a leading attack vector. Cloud-based remote access solutions facilitate connections through a separate security layer in the cloud, where encryption, authentication and other security measures are applied without impacting performance.
Make MFA intuitive. Multifactor authentication (MFA) greatly reduces the risk of account takeovers, but employees hate to use it if it adds too many steps to the login process. Simple and intuitive MFA will enhance security without the productivity tradeoffs.
Simplify endpoint protection. Remote workers use a variety of devices to access network resources, but they don’t always stay current with updates and patches. Endpoint protection solutions automate patching and configuration updates, relieving users of an extra burden while improving threat identification and mitigation.
Utilize managed firewall services. Nearly all firewall breaches are caused by misconfiguration issues stemming from inefficient and error-prone manual management processes. A qualified managed services provider (MSP) can take on the responsibility of firewall administration, using advanced software to reduce errors, improve security and relieve staffing burdens.
Filter content. Content-filtering solutions provide another level of protection for remote workers by scanning web applications, identifying malware signatures and examining text and email messages for malicious content.
Enhance data protection. Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions limit the risk of sensitive information leaking outside the organization. DLP tools monitor email, collaboration tools and other outbound communications as well as activities such as copying files to the cloud or removable media. DLP scans will block the activity or generate alerts if company policies are violated.
Work with a specialist. Qualified MSPs can implement, manage and maintain a wide range of solutions, allowing organizations to boost remote security while offloading some IT staffing workload. Additionally, a provider can conduct regular assessments to identify any new gaps that could create risk.
