why is information security importantAs technology advances, our reliance on the internet increases, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, that a true dependence formed. Now, countless businesses have transitioned their workforce from the office to home. But despite vaccines and relaxed mandates, remote employees aren’t going away. 

Working remotely could be the new norm for many reasons including reduced cost and increased productivity levels. It also allows companies to outsource and hire talent worldwide. These benefits are causing many employers to continue working with remote employees. 

Remote workers can be the right choice for many teams, but if it’s approached without proper precautions, it can lead to disaster. When employees work in an office, there are so many security protocols in place that provide adequate protection, but when people log in from their home’s WI-FI, or the unsecured network of a coffee shop, it’s a total game-changer.  

Information security is a crucial step that must be handled right away, especially when employees are accessing sensitive information on your corporate cloud. But why is information security important? Before we explain that, we need to define it. 

What is Informational Security? 

The technical term for information security is cybersecurity. This field of expertise works to protect your data and every facet of your cyberspace including:  

  • Applications 
  • Servers 
  • Networks 
  • Systems 
  • Internet-Connected Devices 
  • Data

 Businesses invested in their security hire professionals skilled in cybersecurity protocol. The job of these IT specialists is to: 

If you think of cybersecurity like a mall cop patrolling the hallways, you have it all wrong. These technicians don’t just run software, they are also trained to think like a hacker and find the weaknesses in your systems before the criminals do. If they find a way to get in, they fix it so that no one else can. This is why it’s so important to choose a highly trained cybersecurity expert that you can trust.  

The level of knowledge and skill a professional has will determine how safe your data will be. Since hardware and software are constantly changing, these experts must stay on top of every development to protect their clients. Every minute you are vulnerable leaves you open to an invasion of privacy or theft of customer data. 

Information Security Risks 

 There are multiple dangers that threaten the electronic information security of your remote workers. Every company that collaborates online is susceptible to a huge list of risks: 

  • Phishing 
  • Viruses 
  • Malware
  • Ransomware 
  • Hacking 
  • Clickjacking 
  • Keystroke loggers 
  • Spoofing
  • Backdoors 
  • And much more…

The first line of defense is cybersecurity. When your company obtains information security, it’s protected from unauthorized access, use, recording, alteration, and destruction of your data. When your data is safe, you strengthen the trust between you and your staff, shareholders, clients, and customers. 

Information Security Practices for Remote Teams 

When asking why information security is important, the solutions are just as critical as the problems. Let’s briefly examine a few key methods that information security helps with when companies support remote teams.  

Microsoft 365 

There are two primary ways to approach cyber security;

  1. Utilize a platform or service like Microsoft 365
  2. Do it yourself

Most small and medium businesses are better off utilizing the resources provided by cyber professionals at Microsoft. Microsoft spending millions, perhaps billions, of dollars on handling cyber security for their customers. Microsoft 365 is far more robust and capable of providing cyber security than small businesses. Many government agencies and large corporations are using Microsoft 365 for the same reason; to let cyber professionals do what they do best.  

If you are going to handle it internally, there are several major steps to consider.  

Data Encryption 

Nothing is safe from intrusion; even your emails and personal files could be targeted. By using proven methods of protection like cryptographic protocols, important data will look normal to you but scrambled to outsiders. This practice is otherwise known as “data encryption.”  

End-User Security Software  

To safeguard an online device from malicious code, end-user security software will scan, isolate, and delete anything suspicious. This is also known as endpoint security because it allows businesses to protect the computers and laptops that remote employees are using. By defending these devices directly, it secures the most vulnerable entry points for attackers and malicious software.   

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) 

Instead of trusting random networks, it’s best to use a virtual private network (VPN) and hire a management service to run other network security measures. VPNs provide an encrypted connection for remote workers who are using public networks, offering privacy online from anywhere in the world.   

Backup and Recovery Services 

There are many methods for data backup and recovery services. Data is just one aspect and making a copy of it is not good enough. If your backup gets a virus, you would be restoring a virus in the future. Things like mirroring, backup frequency, physical server backup or standby inventory, server configuration imaging, and a network component. The list is long, expensive, and complex.  

Do You Need Information Security in Tampa, FL? 

If you are looking for guidance and want to increase the cybersecurity of your business, you need an expert. Our team of trained and certified technicians specializes in a range of outsourced IT services at a fraction of the price of a single in-house IT tech.  

Information security is important because it will fortify your company’s online defenses from predators who want your data. Start protecting your business today! Get in contact with an IGTech365 representative.