7 Vital Steps of Remote IT Risk Management You Shouldn’t Miss

  • February 22, 2023
  • 10mins read
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Failure to manage the IT risks inherent in a remote or hybrid workforce can be costly and even deadly for startups and smaller businesses.

If you manage distributed teams, here are some steps you can take to mitigate the IT risks.

How to manage IT risks in remote or hybrid work:

Esevel - steps for remote IT management

Step 1: Develop clear IT policies and guidelines

Your business should have an IT security policy that clearly outlines expectations for employees’ behavior, responsibilities, and communications.

A comprehensive IT security policy will cover topics such as:

It should also cover what your business should do in the event of a breach or mishap. To ensure that everyone is fully aware, employees should be required to read and sign the policy as part of their onboarding process.

Step 2: Provide cybersecurity training and educate your employees on IT risks

A written policy itself is not enough. You’d need to train and educate your employees as well. By providing regular cybersecurity training to your employees, you help them recognize and prevent cyber threats before they happen.

A well-rounded curriculum will include topics such as: 

There are free cybersecurity training courses and IT risk management programs for employees available online, but the best one would be one specifically adapted for your company’s situation.

Step 3: Conduct regular security audits

There are many types of security audits, but at the most basic level, you can perform one in-house with an automated tool. Address any gaps or issues that are identified in a timely manner.

Step 4: Establish secure access controls

Firstly, Why are access controls important? Access controls are like locks on doors. They keep unauthorized people out of places they shouldn’t be. In our case, we use digital locks to protect our company’s information.

When we set up the access lock, your team needs strong and unique passwords. Plus, the passwords should be changed regularly. Additionally, when we work from places like cafes or airports, it’s a good idea to use VPN (or virtual private networks). This keeps our information safe while it travels over the internet.

Also, the use of multi-factor authentication or MFA is encouraged. This adds extra layers of security. It’s like having more than one key to open a door. We might use our regular password, plus a fingerprint or a SMS verification code sent to our phone.

Last but not least, is the use of role-based access control (RBAC). This ensures that employees have access only to the resources necessary for their roles. It’s like giving someone a key that only works for their office and nowhere else.

Step 5: Implement robust endpoint security

These endpoints are doorways to your business operations, one compromised endpoint could lead to unimaginable damage.

If you are in the selection process for an endpoint security solution, consider these steps:

Step 6: Have a disaster recovery plan

If your business relies heavily on technology, time lost during a system crash can have catastrophic financial consequences.

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a document that sets out the steps to be taken in the event of a cyber-attack, natural disaster, or other disruptive event. This should include procedures like data backup and recovery, and a communication plan to keep employees and the customers informed.

Step 7: Build a culture of trust and accountability

Employees are often the first to know when there are any issues or concerns. But if they do not feel comfortable reporting this upwards, these concerns get swept under the rug and snowball into real threats in the future.

By encouraging transparency and open communications, you can help employees feel comfortable to report any issues they may have identified.

Cybersecurity in a remote or hybrid environment is essential for daily operations, especially for startups and SMEs. By implementing the above measures, you can reap the full benefits while being prepared for the increased IT risks of a remote or hybrid workforce.

Safeguard your IT in a remote work setting with Esevel

Cybersecurity in a remote or hybrid environment is essential for daily operations, especially for startups and SMEs. By implementing the above measures, you can reap the full benefits while being prepared for the increased IT risks of a remote or hybrid workforce.

We can work closely with you to set up security policies and configurations for your remote teams, and to ensure hardware security via a proper offboarding process, across 8 countries in Asia Pacific.

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