As summer arrives, bringing with it the promise of vacations and relaxation for many, small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners cannot afford to surrender their vigilance on cybersecurity, even as their employees take a well-deserved break. Statistics present that The perpetual threat persists, regardless of the time of year. AnRecovering from a cyberattack isn’t always low-cost; in fact, small companies often struggle to revive their regular operations without significant financial investments.
As you prepare for a potential summer shutdown or remote work arrangements with your hybrid or fully remote small-to-medium-sized business (SMB), it is crucial to address several key considerations?
We’ve penned countless words about this topic. The flexibility to work remotely has proven to be a game-changer for both employees and small to medium-sized business (SMB) owners. Remote work environments can significantly reduce housing costs for employees while also decreasing energy expenses for businesses.
With the added benefit of flexibility, employees can better balance their work-life equilibrium, allowing them to bring their work on the road if desired and exert greater control over their daily schedules – a factor that studies consistently demonstrate.
Despite their benefits, hybrid workplaces present new challenges to overcome, most notably in the realm of cybersecurity.
While hackers are well aware that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often lack the same resources as larger enterprises, making them an attractive target. Security protocols for in-office use require implementation by workers, while best practices for remote work involve observations; further, equipping both on-site and offsite staff with comprehensive knowledge enables safe access to the network.
Before departing from the workplace, employees must adhere to best practices to safeguard company data and equipment while absent?
- To ensure a seamless transition, it is crucial that departing employees secure their work equipment, including computers, digital devices, company phones, and other tools, by locking and shutting them down properly before leaving the premises. What’s to prevent anyone gaining access to your work tools, is the question – wouldn’t you only realize it when you return from a trip, leaving your systems and data exposed for an extended period?
- For unforeseen circumstances, a robust workforce buffer can provide shelter against potential threats that arise when a significant number of employees take time off during peak summer months. All servers and connected devices (endpoints) have access to your organization’s sensitive data. It’s crucially important to regularly scan each device to ensure that the latest security updates remain active. Regularly scanning your system may also ensure that no malware or vulnerabilities exist, preventing unauthorized access to your data when you’re away. As additional personnel are away from their workstations, the more time it takes for someone to detect that your system has been breached. Without robust cybersecurity measures in place, hackers could potentially inflict even more harm without being detected.
Since you may be away on a trip, it’s not necessary for your system to remain unsecured.
- Supply robust IT security, safeguarding your system remotely as you’re away. In recent years, there had been turmoil, and with good reason. As remote work continues to gain prominence, so too does the imperative for enhanced dedicated distance IT security – regardless of whether workplaces are physically open or not.
- Are there any additional crucial considerations for employees when they’re away on business trips? While an MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) provides an additional layer of security, it’s crucial to apply this measure consistently, especially when working outside the office. To ensure seamless connectivity, it’s crucial for all employees to enable this feature on their devices whenever they’re working remotely or logging in from a non-corporate location, such as during travel. If you happen to leave your phone or work laptop at a hotel, it’s crucial to secure your device from unauthorized access by taking the following measures: Enhance your accessories lineup to safeguard your devices with robust remote SMB security.
To enable remote workers’ seamless integration during trips, providing secure access to the community when needed is vital, allowing them to effortlessly collaborate with colleagues in-office.
Having a reliable video conferencing platform is an excellent way to maintain productivity while working remotely, but it also requires the highest level of security to ensure seamless collaboration? Collaboration tools employ robust end-to-end security measures, including zero-trust encryption, to safeguard the confidentiality of virtual conferences. Webex ensures that only authorized employees have access to messages and recordings within the system.
While employees may have the luxury of taking breaks, community safety cannot afford to rest when duty calls. Cisco provides a vast range of digital tools and solutions designed to maintain the stability and security of small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs). By partnering with us, you’ll gain access to a tailored blend of tools and services that will safeguard your small-to-medium-sized business no matter where life takes you.
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