3 Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Remote Workers Safe
As remote work continues to reshape the professional landscape, cybersecurity is more important than ever. According to a Gartner report, up to 41% of employees are expected to continue working remotely post-COVID-19—at least on a part-time basis. This trend extends beyond traditional office roles into industries like manufacturing and healthcare, where connected technologies make remote operations possible.
To help protect your organization and its employees from growing cyber threats, here are three essential cybersecurity practices every remote worker should follow:
1. Enable and Use Built-In Security Features
Many devices, especially those used in industrial settings (like IoT sensors), come with built-in security settings. Unfortunately, these are often disabled or left on default configurations for the sake of convenience—leaving systems exposed to potential attacks.
Tip: Always activate available security features on your devices, particularly when working remotely. And don’t forget to regularly update your passwords—using strong, unique ones each time.
2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
When connecting to work systems from home, users often rely on personal or less-secure networks. That’s why it’s critical to add layers of protection. Multi-factor authentication adds a second (or third) form of identity verification, making it much harder for unauthorized users to gain access.
Tip: Set up MFA on all work-related accounts and devices. Use combinations of passwords, one-time codes, smartphone prompts, or even biometrics to strengthen login security.
3. Power Down Devices When Not in Use
Some devices need to stay online continuously—like IoT tools monitoring factory equipment or patient health metrics. But many others don’t. Leaving devices powered on unnecessarily increases the risk of intrusion, even if they're in standby mode.
Tip: Shut down devices that won’t be used for long periods. This is especially critical for roles in healthcare and other data-sensitive fields, where idle access points can be a major liability.
Final Thoughts
The rise of remote work has unlocked incredible flexibility—but it’s also created new cybersecurity challenges. As more employees operate from outside the traditional office environment, the need for proactive digital security has never been greater.
To stay ahead of potential threats, remote workers should:
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Use built-in security features on their devices,
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Enable multi-factor authentication, and
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Turn off devices when they’re not in use.
By adopting these practices, you can protect your data, your devices, and your organization from unnecessary risks—no matter where you're working from.