Cybersecurity in the age of remote and hybrid work

As remote and hybrid working models become the new norm, businesses across all sectors are grappling with the challenges of ensuring robust cybersecurity. While these flexible working arrangements offer tremendous benefits such as improved work-life balance, reduced operational costs, and access to a broader talent pool – they also expose companies to new vulnerabilities. When employees are no longer confined to a central, secure office network, the risk of cyber threats multiplies, making cybersecurity more complex but also more critical than ever.

At Nomical, we’ve seen first-hand how these risks have intensified for businesses with distributed workforces. Here’s how you can bolster your organisation’s security strategy in this new era of work.

The changing threat landscape

Cybercriminals are quick to exploit new opportunities, and the shift towards remote work has created countless entry points into corporate systems. A few of the most pressing threats include:

• phishing attacks: Employees are more likely to be targeted by phishing emails when they work outside of the office environment. Lacking the immediate support of IT teams, they might inadvertently click on malicious links, exposing sensitive data.
• unsecured networks: Personal Wi-Fi and public networks are far less secure than office networks. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to company data.
• personal devices: When employees use their own devices, businesses lose control over security standards, increasing exposure to malware and breaches.
• weak passwords and poor authentication: In a remote setting, weak passwords, re-used across multiple accounts, can become a major liability. Without multi-factor authentication (MFA), a compromised password could be all that’s needed to access your business systems.
• lack of regular patching: Remote work makes it harder for IT teams to enforce timely software updates and security patches, leaving systems open to attack.

Steps to strengthen cybersecurity in remote/hybrid work environments

To stay protected, businesses must go beyond traditional security measures. Here’s what Nomical recommends:

1. adopt a zero trust security model
   In a Zero Trust framework, no one – whether inside or outside the network – is trusted by default. Every user and device must continuously verify their identity and access level. This reduces the risk of breaches by limiting exposure from compromised credentials or devices.
2. secure home office networks
   Provide employees with clear guidelines on how to secure their home networks. Encourage the use of strong passwords, WPA3 encryption, and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to encrypt internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers to intercept sensitive data.
3. issue company devices
   Where possible, equip your team with company-issued devices that come with built-in security software, firewalls, and automated updates. If your business allows personal devices such as phones or tablets to be used, enforce strict device management protocols, including endpoint security and regular audits.
4. conduct regular cybersecurity training
   The best defence is a well-informed team. Equip employees with the skills to identify phishing attacks, implement strong password practices, and understand the importance of data security. Cybersecurity awareness needs to be regularly refreshed to keep up with evolving threats.
5. leverage cloud security
   Cloud-based solutions offer advanced security features—such as encryption, continuous monitoring, and MFA—built into the platform. Cloud services make it easier to manage security for distributed teams, ensuring consistent protection across all locations.
6. regularly update software and patches
   Security patches and software updates are essential to protect against the latest vulnerabilities. Automate updates wherever possible and set policies to ensure that critical updates are applied promptly, regardless of where employees are working.
7. control access to data
   Not everyone needs access to everything. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit the amount of sensitive data any one employee can access. Regularly audit and adjust these permissions to ensure compliance and security.
8. conduct regular audits & plan for incidents
   Conducting regular security audits is essential to stay ahead of emerging threats. Regularly review your current security measures and adjust them as necessary to address new vulnerabilities. Additionally, develop and maintain an Incident Response Plan to act swiftly and effectively if a breach does occur. Fast, coordinated responses can mitigate damage and reduce recovery time.

Real-world case studies: learning from large-scale breaches

Even the biggest companies can fall victim to cyberattacks. Here are three high-profile examples that underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity:

1. Yahoo data breach (2013)
   One of the largest breaches in history, affecting 3 billion accounts. Stolen data was eventually found for sale on the dark web, showing the long-term consequences of data breaches.
2. LinkedIn data breach (2021)
   In 2021, LinkedIn suffered a data scraping breach that compromised the personal information of 700 million users. This breach demonstrates the risks posed by improperly secured data on large platforms.
3. Marriott international data breach (2018)
   This breach exposed the sensitive information of 500 million guests. Once again, the stolen data was discovered on the dark web, highlighting the global consequences of failing to secure personal information.

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Looking forward: the future of cybersecurity in remote work

The shift to remote and hybrid work is permanent for many organisations, and businesses need a cybersecurity framework that can evolve with this change. Security isn’t just about reacting to threats – it’s about prevention, vigilance, and maintaining a strong, adaptable defence.

At Nomical, we provide cutting-edge, tailored IT solutions to help businesses secure their operations, no matter where their teams are located. Whether it’s refining your cybersecurity strategy, ensuring compliance, or network security, we can help.

Get in touch with us today to find out how Nomical can future-proof your business against cybersecurity threats.