The hybrid work model has brought workers and companies more flexibility and more security risks. Unfortunately, as long as people can work from anywhere, they will naturally have more entry points for cyber threats.
AT&T’s massive data breach earlier this year highlighted these vulnerabilities, compromising the personal information of 73 million customers. This breach exposed sensitive data like Social Security numbers and account details, underscoring the vulnerabilities in managing remote access and personal data
With employees accessing corporate networks through multiple devices and unsecured home connections, data breaches, malware, and unauthorized access are more likely. For business leaders, tech professionals, and tech-savvy consumers, knowing how to plug those gaps is key to maintaining a secure work environment.
Hybrid Work Challenges
Hybrid work brings flexibility, but it also increases the surface of attacks for cybercriminals. More devices and networks connect to company systems, and the capacity for different threats has grown. Cyberattackers exploit this by targeting the various endpoints — computers, phones, and other devices — that employees use to connect.
For instance, computer maker Dell Technologies experienced a breach in May of this year when attackers accessed 49 million records through a reseller portal. Organizations need to re-think and harden their security to stay ahead of those risks and not leave sensitive information vulnerable to hackers.
Hybrid work starts with securing every endpoint. Every device connected to the network is a potential vulnerability. Without endpoint security, these devices become entry points for attackers. An endpoint protection platform provides the tools to prevent unauthorized access and detect unusual activity. These solutions typically contain features to protect devices cross-platform and across locations.
Hybrid Work Strategies that Preserve Data Integrity
The reality is that cybercrime is intimidating to many. It’s quiet, sneaky, and hard to see it happening until it’s far too late. But it can be mitigated considerably. It just takes concerted caution in a few key ways.
Zero Trust Strategy
Organizations should consider adopting a zero-trust model to secure hybrid work. This means “trusting nothing and verifying everything.” Every user, every device, and every application must be authenticated before access is granted.
Zero Trust is fast becoming an end-point cybersecurity standard and can reduce the risk of unauthorized access in hybrid work. To that end, every connection is treated as hostile. This is critical for hybrid environments where access occurs from many different locations and devices.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another hybrid security essential. A password alone is not enough protection, but adding another authentication factor (like a token or code sent to a device) adds an extra layer of security. MFA should be enabled on all critical systems and applications so that even if an attacker gets the password, they will still hit a wall. MFA can reduce account compromise by over 99%, making it one of the most effective ways to secure hybrid work.
Regular Software Updates
Keeping software up to date is another defense. Albeit simple to maintain, it can mean the difference in protecting a whole network. Cybercriminals exploit out-of-date software to get into systems. Automatic updates and a patch management program can make sure that all devices have the latest security patches and are protected from known threats.
Out-of-date software has been a factor in several major breaches, highlighting just how crucial regular updates are for keeping systems secure. Without timely updates and patches, vulnerabilities can go unaddressed, leaving an open door for attackers to exploit. For that reason, periodic updates are essential to ensure all devices are protected with the latest security measures.
Data Encryption
Naturally, data encryption is the linchpin for guarding sensitive information. Encryption makes data unreadable to unauthorized users, so even if a device is lost or compromised, the data on it will be secure. This is especially important for remote workers who may use unsecured networks where their data could be intercepted.
Endpoint Monitoring and Management
Last but not least, endpoint monitoring and management are critical for hybrid environments. With an endpoint protection platform, IT can monitor, manage, and secure devices no matter where employees work.
Cybersecurity Education — Building a Security-Aware Culture
While technology is part of security, educating employees on cybersecurity best practices is just as important. Employees are the most important line of defense against cyber threats. That’s why training them regularly on topics like phishing prevention, password best practices, and safe browsing habits can make a big difference.
Roughly 95% of cyber breaches are caused by human error. There’s no getting around that fact other than policing and training workers to access sensitive data responsibly and with heightened discretion. Building a security-aware culture is how businesses can curb these vulnerabilities.
Hybrid Security Trends
As hybrid work becomes more mainstream, new trends and technologies emerge to address these changing security needs. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming more prominent in cybersecurity, helping organizations analyze activity patterns and detect threats better.
AI-driven security tools can process huge amounts of data to identify anomalies, provide early warnings of potential risks, and inform patch management, which is perfect for hybrid work where activity patterns are varied.
Privacy-focused security models are also on the rise as businesses address growing privacy concerns. As regulations like GDPR require companies to put data protection first, many are adopting security models that limit data collection and prioritize user privacy. This is a recognition that we need to protect sensitive data without collecting too much from users.
Also, proactive threat hunting is becoming a popular approach for companies that want to get ahead of potential threats. Rather than waiting for alerts to tell them of suspicious activity, proactive threat hunting involves continuously looking for vulnerabilities and signs of attack.
Securing the Hybrid Workforce of the Future
Hybrid work is here to stay for many organizations, but securing these environments requires a new approach to cybersecurity. Having an endpoint protection platform as part of a broader security strategy that includes Zero Trust policies, MFA, software updates, and cybersecurity education can help you close security gaps.
In doing so, decision-makers in any business can have a flexible, secure work model resilient to any flavor of cyber threat. The key is to adapt your security to the hybrid world, so your team can be productive and protected.
