Remote working cybersecurity

Despite the fact that many organisations transitioned to remote working over a year ago, some are still not on top of the cybersecurity issues posed by working from home. As many firms look to continue with remote working in some capacity even with lockdown restrictions largely over, remote working cybersecurity is set to become a long-term priority.

However, some organisations have failed to grasp the different security challenges brought by remote working. Though there are increased IT difficulties in the current climate, no allowances can be made. All organisations must abide by the same data protection regulations that apply to office working.

Regardless of the circumstances in which it was caused, anyone affected by a data breach may be able to claim compensation for any harm caused. If you wish to make an enquiry about a potential data breach claim, you can contact our expert team for free, no-obligation advice.

The security issues brought by remote working

When lockdown restrictions were suddenly imposed for the first time last March, companies shifted to remote working in a very short space of time. The rush to set up employees with the equipment they needed meant that, in some cases, there were gaps in remote working cybersecurity.

Office systems should already have had established defences, such as firewalls, to block out external threats. However, when employees are connected to their home networks, it can be harder for organisations to ensure that they are secure. In some cases, employees are using their own devices rather than company laptops, and this can mean that there is no guarantee that they are safely password-protected and encrypted.

Cybercriminals have also been seeking to capitalise on the move to remote working from the beginning. According to one report, phishing attacks surged by over 600% in March last year. Employees must, therefore, remain vigilant when it comes to fraudulent communication they may encounter.

Remote working cybersecurity – what should businesses be doing?

Although home working has been a part of many people’s lives for over a year, there are still concerns that many business leaders still do not understand or comprehend the kind of security threats that they may be facing. Some figures indicate that a large number of organisations still cannot guarantee that their employees can securely work from home, which is a significant cause for concern.

There are many basic remote working cybersecurity measures that should be essential for all organisations. Ideally, there should be access limitation measures, and the use of tools such as two-factor authentication to lessen the risk of unauthorised users breaking into employees’ accounts. Protective anti-malware software is also vital, and if organisations cannot provide work laptops or devices for every employee, they should conduct security checks on their personal devices to make sure that they are secure.

Claiming compensation for a data breach

Remote working cybersecurity vulnerabilities, like any cybersecurity vulnerabilities, provide no excuses for companies who are responsible for data breaches. When data breach incidents do occur, those affected could be eligible to claim compensation for a data breach, including for distress and any financial losses or expenses.

If you are considering making a claim, in our view, you could come to no better firm than Your Lawyers – The Data Leak Lawyers. Working as specialist data breach solicitors operating in London and across the regions, we have been handling privacy matters since 2014. As such, we have the expertise to bring your claim to fruition.

Contact us today for free, no-obligation advice on your potential claim.

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