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While a great option for many businesses (and their employees!), the hybrid work model, combining remote and office-based work, brings its own cybersecurity challenges. Let's take a look at the risks posed by hybrid work: More access points to company resources In a hybrid work setup, you are essentially creating more access points to your company's resources. It's as though rather than entering through the main door, staff can use any number of side entrances to access key files and information. More access points are great for your staff, but they're also convenient for would-be hackers. More difficulty spotting security risks 
With employees working from various locations, it can be harder to spot unusual activities that might indicate a security risk. Businesses need smarter ways to watch the access points to their data. The right cybersecurity solutions monitor your staff's remote logins for you and instantly alert your business if any offsite access looks suspicious. So if those are the main challenges and risks posed by hybrid work environments, what are some practical strategies business owners can implement to protect their team and their data? Adapt Security Rules Security rules need to be flexible and adaptable to different situations in a hybrid work environment. For example, if an employee accesses files from a new location, the system might ask for extra confirmation or even limit what they can see. Make sure these rules are in-place and you know how to access them: they are vital to giving employees the right permissions and making sure there are no exploitable holes in your network. Don't know how to set up security rules? Schedule a free consultation with our experts. Educate Your Team Create clear policies regarding work-from-home security. Teach your team about safe online practices and how to not “open the door” for hackers and threats. Provide training on following your security procedures— and why it's important. Encourage Secure Connections Provide your staff with tools like VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to create a secure 'tunnel' for your data. Remind any traveling staff (outside sales team, management traveling to a conference, etc.) that open internet connections (like you may find in airports and cafes) cannot be trusted and should not be used for work. Take Extra Security Steps Implement extra steps like Multi-Factor Authentication, which sends a code to your phone when logging into important systems. While these steps can be a bit of a pain, it is important that your staff uses them consistently to protect your business. Keep Systems Updated It's easy to dismiss or ignore security patches and software updates. Ensure all devices used for work are up-to-date with the latest security features. Remind your staff that the time it takes to update their equipment is worth it to you! Help with Home Network Security Help your team secure their home internet connections so that their home security is just as robust as your office. Not sure how to do this? Ask our experts for pointers. 
Managing cybersecurity in a hybrid work setting doesn't have to be overwhelming. By simplifying access to resources, being alert to unusual activities, and having adaptable security rules, you can protect your business effectively. With the right implementation, you’ll create a secure and flexible work environment that supports your team's needs.

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