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Remote Work Security Checklist

Remote work has become the norm for many organisations, but with this flexibility comes the responsibility to maintain robust security practices. The recent AT&T data breach, which exposed nearly all of their wireless customers’ data, serves as a stark reminder that even telecommunications giants aren’t immune to cyber threats. This makes it even more critical for organisations to ensure their remote workers are properly protected.

Whether your team works from home occasionally or permanently, implementing these essential security measures will help keep your organisation’s data safe and your operations running smoothly.

Secure Your Connection

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) should be your first line of defence. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your employee’s device and your organisation’s network, protecting sensitive data from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi or unsecured home networks. Ensure all remote staff understand how to connect to the VPN before accessing any work systems, and consider implementing always-on VPN policies where appropriate.

Additionally, encourage staff to secure their home Wi-Fi networks with WPA3 encryption and strong, unique passwords. Many people still use default router passwords, which creates an unnecessary vulnerability.

Strengthen Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is no longer optional—it’s essential. Even if passwords are compromised, MFA provides that crucial second barrier that can prevent unauthorised access. Enable MFA on all business applications, email accounts, and cloud services. Modern authentication apps or hardware tokens are more secure than SMS-based codes, which can be intercepted.

Password managers should also be standard for all remote workers. They enable strong, unique passwords for every account whilst removing the burden of memorisation that leads to poor password practices.

Manage Devices Properly

Device management becomes more complex with remote work, but it’s crucial for maintaining security. Ensure all devices used for work—whether company-owned or personal—have up-to-date operating systems and security patches. Automatic updates should be enabled wherever possible.

Consider implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that allow you to monitor device health, enforce security policies, and remotely wipe data if a device is lost or stolen. This is particularly important for organisations in regulated sectors like healthcare or legal services.

Educate and Communicate

Technology alone isn’t enough—your team needs to understand the ‘why’ behind these security measures. Regular security awareness training helps staff recognise phishing attempts, understand the importance of software updates, and know what to do if they suspect a security incident.

Create clear, accessible policies for remote work security and ensure everyone knows who to contact if they encounter security concerns or technical issues.

Remote work security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on these fundamental areas—secure connections, strong authentication, proper device management, and ongoing education—you can create a robust security posture that protects your organisation without hindering productivity. If you need guidance implementing any of these measures, our team is always happy to help.

Jessica Falconer
Director, Resolve Technology
When she’s not wrangling IT strategies, Jessica can be found wrangling labradoodles, teenagers, and parishioners — not necessarily in that order.