Remote Revolution: Tips to Protect Your Workforce from Cyberattacks

We’ve witnessed an onslaught of cybersecurity threats and ransomware recently. Thanks to malware, anyone with an internet connection can launch a cyberattack, leaving small- and medium-sized businesses like yours especially open to attack. But as more and more businesses join the remote revolution by allowing employees to work from home, unsecured internet access can increase your security risk. 

Within the relative safety of the office, computers use networks and firewalls that allow only “trusted” devices to communicate. But with a remote workforce, employees are connecting their office devices to their home Wi-Fi, leaving networks potentially vulnerable to attack. In fact, ransomware victims in the U.S. paid out nearly $350m in 2020, a 311% increase over 2019.²

“The transition that we’re seeing to working from home has contributed dramatically to the rise in successful ransomware attacks,” said Israel Barak, chief information security officer at the security firm Cybereason.³

Smaller businesses may think they can fly under the radar, but with an inexperienced or no formal IT team to protect your assets, you are at risk if you fail to prioritize security. 

Your local cellular provider can assist you in reducing security risks for employees working remotely by helping you:

• Stop DoS attacks in their tracks
• Protect against email phishing
• Encrypt your data

In addition, the U.S. Government’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following to improve home network security for remote workers⁴:

• Update your software regularly
• Remove unnecessary services and software
• Adjust factory-default configurations on software and hardware
• Change default log-in passwords and usernames
• Use strong and unique passwords 
• Run up-to-date antivirus software
• Install a network firewall
• Install firewalls on network devices
• Regularly back up your data
• Increase wireless security
• Mitigate email (phishing) threats

To guide you, UScellular has published Security for Small Businesses: Tips to Protect Your Remote Workforce from Cyberattacks. This free new eGuide details the threats to your business and the steps you can take with your cellular provider to minimize your risk.

UScelllular helps protect your valuable assets. We identify and authenticate every laptop, smart phone and tablet on your network. Our local team is committed to your remote security plan and a lasting partnership. UScellular goes beyond the sale to ensure a dedicated IoT network and full encryption to help protect you and your employees from threats. And we help you understand the threats to your business. 

Find out how to protect your business. First, download your free eGuide, then call a local business solutions expert at 866-616-5587 or learn about UScellular’s Remote Workforce solution.