How a Remote Work Policy Could Actually Strengthen Data Security | WIRED Brand Lab

It's proven that workplace flexibility

boosts morale, productivity, and retention.

But there may be a surprising added benefit

to a remote work policy shift.

Improved cyber security.

In the U.S., companies shell out an average of

8.2 million dollars a year dealing with cyber attacks.

In 2018, the highest single ransomware payout was $930,000.

So it's understandable that corporations are hypervigilant

about how employees access company data.

But assumptions that working remotely

is riskier are misguided.

In fact, cloud based remote work could result

in a safer foundation for the future of work.

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Nowadays, holstering cyber security isn't optional.

In just two years, ransomware attacks are up 97%.

And while some companies associate decentralized

employee's work with greater risk, it actually presents

an ideal time to make data more secure

by forcing businesses to safeguard their information

in the cloud.

Technology reporter, Quentin Hardy, puts it this way.

The same way that your money is probably safer

mixed up with other people's money in a bank vault

than it is sitting alone in your dresser drawer,

your data may actually be safer in the cloud.

And while companies are worried about remote employee

security, they're often overlooking in office behaviors,

like leaving a laptop unlocked and unattended,

that are just as dangerous.

In fact, a study by Alert Logic found on premise

IT infrastructure is more likely to be attacked

than public, cloud based systems.

Having staff working away from headquarters

is an opportunity to upgrade systems

to software defined wide area networks

known as SD-WANs.

These feature security options that offer

end to end protection, reducing vulnerability

and protecting transactions between the network

and the cloud.

An SD-WAN with best in class threat management

protects all parts of the network,

including remote access points,

while mitigating D-Dos and ransomware threats.

With industrial grade cyber security,

both on the network and in the cloud,

companies have more than a fighting chance

against the data breach or attack.

A full 90% of businesses believe improving cyber security

boosts their reputation.

And 89% say world class cyber security

is a competitive differentiator.

So while logging into work files on a coffee shop's

public wifi isn't the best idea,

it doesn't mean remote access is inherently unsafe.

In fact, setting foundation for secure remote work

could close the door on a lot of future security headaches.