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 here in Rocky Mount 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 many of our Rocky Mount businesses allowing employees to work from home, employees are connecting their office devices to their home Wi-Fi, leaving networks potentially vulnerable to attack. We know from a recent survey by Cisco, only 19 percent of organizations had more than half of their workforce working remotely, compared to 62 percent now.
Smaller businesses here in Rocky Mount 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.
The U.S. Government’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following to improve home network security for remote workers:
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.
This is a complex issue and one that can be customized for each Rocky Mount business. To guide you, US Cellular 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 to minimize your risk. Or feel free to stop by either of our Rocky Mount locations to have our associates guide you on what solutions can protect your local business, like encrypting your data and protecting against email phishing.
Jeremy Taylor is the director of sales for US Cellular in eastern North Carolina.
