By Jane Milligan
Remote working has been on an upward surge, and the current international lockdown has led to more people working from their home offices. With this has come increasing cybersecurity risks; security consultancy OneLogin highlighted remote working as a key threat to cybersecurity assurance, according to TechCrunch.
For businesses owners, there are clear processes to follow that can develop effective cybersecurity measures. With these strategies in place, businesses can protect its assets and its employees that are remotely working with Apple devices away from the office environment.
People power
The process of cybersecurity oversight becomes easier when you have quality people in security manager positions. This is especially pertinent when it comes to the use of Apple devices. According to Business Insider, hackers have taken the gold standard of Apple products as a challenge, and there are now record levels of security breach attempts against Apple products. Businesses should look to instate policies and individuals with a good grasp o technology.
CVs from applicants should highlight technology know-how and businesses should be aware of exactly what criteria they are looking for. Equally, applicants should be able to show relevant experience of tackling Apple-focused cybersecurity breaches in order to provide an effective barrier. Having employees that can be vigilant about potential breaches are ultimately the greatest defense against security breaches.
Remote management
Putting the right tools into the hands of security professionals is key to making their job easier and ensuring security standards are met. Apple makes this relatively easy with their range of corporate policy tools. As noted on their support page, several contingencies and protection policies can be put into effect on devices before they are used remotely.
You can ask employees to install a remote desktop on their Apple device in order to manage and prevent any security issues, and also to retain some measure of productivity management and measurement. This also creates a secure corridor through which to receive and transmit business-critical documents, including core applications and services that the business relies upon daily
A common sense approach
When conducting business through services other than company intranet, the approach that should underlie all others is simple common sense. As remote working continues on into weeks, it’s important to remain vigilant. Becoming lazy over cybersecurity will become more of a risk than policy. The USAA Educational Foundation recommends a few measures in particular.
First and foremost, keep software up to date — this is something usually done automatically by Apple products with minimal disruption to productivity. Be vigilant as to phishing and hacking attempts via email, and use strong passwords. Don’t reuse passwords between apps, especially if you’re mixing personal and work services at home. Finally, ensure that your home internet is encrypted and secure against unwanted access.
Remote working brings with it an increased cybersecurity risk. Employees that are working away from the office are more difficult to monitor and assist. Apple products, combined with common sense and vigilance, is the best option to ensure security.
