As organizations embrace hybrid and remote work models, the traditional network perimeter has dissolved—and with it, new security challenges have emerged. Whether your employees connect from home offices, co-working spaces, or on the road, it’s critical to ensure they do so safely. In this post, we’ll cover the key strategies and technologies you need to lock down your remote workforce without slowing productivity.
1. Enforce Strong Endpoint Protection
Why it matters: Home and mobile devices are prime targets for malware and phishing.
Best practices:
- Next-Gen Antivirus/EDR: Deploy an endpoint detection & response agent (e.g. CrowdStrike, SentinelOne) on every device to catch advanced threats.
- Automated Patching: Use tools like Microsoft Intune or JAMF to push OS and third-party updates within 48 hours of release.
- Disk Encryption: Require full-disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) so lost or stolen laptops can’t leak data.
2. Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Why it matters: Credentials alone are easily phished or brute-forced.
Best practices:
- Universal Coverage: Enable MFA on all accounts—VPN, email, cloud apps (Office 365, G Suite), and admin portals.
- Phishing-Resistant Methods: Prefer hardware tokens (FIDO2), push notifications (Duo, Auth0), or certificate-based auth over SMS.
- Adaptive Policies: Step-up authentication when users connect from new devices or geographies.
3. Secure Remote Access with Zero Trust VPNs or ZTNA
Why it matters: Traditional VPNs grant broad network access once connected.
Best practices:
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Use solutions like Zscaler, Palo Alto Prisma Access, or Cloudflare Access to broker per-application connections based on identity, device posture, and risk.
- Least-Privilege Access: Limit each user’s access strictly to the applications and resources they need.
- Continuous Monitoring: Inspect all session activity for anomalies and revoke access instantly on suspicious behavior.
4. Harden Collaboration & File-Sharing Tools
Why it matters: Remote teams rely heavily on Slack, Teams, and file-sharing—prime channels for data leakage.
Best practices:
- DLP & CASB Integration: Deploy Cloud Access Security Brokers (e.g. Netskope, McAfee MVISION) to enforce data-loss prevention policies on SaaS apps.
- Granular Permissions: Lock down file-share links so only intended recipients can view/edit and set sensible expiration dates.
- User Training: Educate staff on safe file-sharing practices and how to recognize malicious links or attachments in chat.
5. Provide a Secure Home-Office Baseline
Why it matters: Personal routers, IoT devices, and weak Wi-Fi setups introduce risk into corporate data paths.
Best practices:
- Home-Office Policy: Publish a checklist covering Wi-Fi encryption (WPA2/WPA3), router firmware updates, guest-network isolation, and device hardening.
- Hardware VPN Appliances: For high-risk teams, provide pre-configured travel routers or VPN gateways that enforce company policies automatically.
- Security Stipends: Offer a monthly stipend or discount on vetted hardware (e.g. Eero, Ubiquiti) so employees can upgrade their home networks.
6. Build a Remote-First Incident Response Plan
Why it matters: Response playbooks designed for on-premises may break down when your SOC is distributed.
Best practices:
- Virtual War-Rooms: Stand up secure, cloud-based communication channels (MSTeams, Zoom with waiting rooms) for IR coordination.
- Endpoint Forensics at Scale: Ensure your EDR platform can orchestrate remote memory dumps, disk captures, and quarantine actions.
- Regular Drills: Conduct at least two tabletop exercises per year simulating a remote-work breach—test communications, containment and recovery steps.
Conclusion
Securing a remote or hybrid workforce demands a shift from castle-and-moat thinking to a perimeterless, zero-trust approach. By hardening endpoints, enforcing multifactor authentication, adopting ZTNA, locking down collaboration tools, baking in home-office best practices, and preparing a remote-capable incident response, you’ll reduce risk and empower your employees to work safely from anywhere.
Next Steps with BreachGuard
BreachGuard can help you stand up a comprehensive Remote Work Security program:
- Endpoint & EDR Deployment
- Zero Trust Network Architecture
- Secure Collaboration & DLP
- Home-Office Security Policy Development
- Remote IR Playbook & Drills
→ Request Remote Work Security Assessment and let our experts guide you to a secure, hybrid-ready future.