Working from home

Security Challenges For Working From Home

1. Unsecured Wi-Fi Connections

Previously, enterprises faced a unique problem when dealing with remote workers. Some workers would work from public Wi-Fi connections, such as at hotels and cafes. These proved a significant challenge to business cyber-security; hackers can easily take advantage of the weak security of public Wi-Fi to intercept information. 

The Corona virus means the vast majority of workers now work from home.  This poses its own security challenges, as home networks can suffer from many vulnerabilities such as users and devices that might have been compromised by malware and phishing.  Consumer networking equipment, such as routers and wifi access points normally do not have the same level of security as the business grade devices.  Add to this the various network connected devices in the average home, such as cell phones, tablets, DVRs, doorbells, security cameras, game consoles, music and video streaming, etc, these devices often have serious vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited if they are not properly updated.  Some of these devices often have known vulnerabilities that do not have a known fix.

2. Lack of Visibility Over Data

Of the major security challenges during the work from home era, data loss could be the most worrying.  Employees could access data and transfer it without the strict visibility maintained by in-network cyber-security. For example, employees could upload sensitive data to a public cloud database—which proves a serious vulnerability. Hackers could easily steal this information, or a simple mis-configuration could leave the data open. 

Thankfully, next-generation endpoint security provides Data Loss Prevention (DLP). This prevents unauthorized users from transferring data to unsafe locations or locations without visibility. Moreover, it prevents moving data to unsecured databases. 

It offers reassurance in a time when there are so few reassurances. 

3. Equipment Outside of the Company Network

Working from home invites so many more devices than the typical enterprise might encounter. For example, enterprise firewalls can’t always provide visibility or security control over devices when they are outside of the company network.

On the other hand, the increased number of mobile devices now connecting to enterprise networks require new perimeter security measures. Next-generation endpoint security helps find and extend cyber-security protections to devices as they connect to the network and to sensitive databases. This visibility also prevents mobile devices from becoming gateways into the network and allowing hackers lateral movement.  

4. Email Security and Malware Prevention at Scale

According to the Verizon 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report, 94 percent of malware attacks come from email attacks. This includes phishing attacks, which now pose as coronavirus-related messages; unfortunately, phishing attacks pose a high success rate. Without the right endpoint security with email protections, these emails can prove difficult to distinguish from genuine messages   

Plenty of threats are happening during the Corona virus pandemic; hackers are taking advantage of the chaos to conduct their attacks and strategies. The best prepared companies use multiple layers of protection against email related malware and phishing attacks.  Scanning email at the server for harmful content helps to keep the viruses and phishing links from making it to your email inbox.  Then using next-generation endpoint security helps by enacting strong antivirus, which can block malicious websites, stopping emails from unwanted domains from opening, and blacklisting suspicious applications from installing.  Combining these layers with end user training provides a multiple pronged defense against the bad guys.

For a secure work at home strategy your company needs to take the above mentioned factors into account.  If you need help with your work at home strategy or security practices for your business, give us a call at 580-782-2266 X11.

 

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The Nevada Housing Authority has been doing business with Ultimate IT Guys since June 2016. Prior to that time, we struggled with good tech support and did not have anyone in house capable of taking on that responsibility. We have had a very positive experience with Ultimate IT Guys and their tech support staff.

They make themselves available anytime for the support and training needed and keep us with the most recent updates. I have enjoyed the webinars and now have access for myself and the staff to those webinars that we miss. The value for the service provided by Ultimate IT Guys is worth a look at for your agency. You will find them customer service driven, have the ability to problem solve and easy to communicate with.

 

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Avinger TX Housing Authority

Hi I am Joan Wright, I am the Executive Director at McGregor Housing Authority. I have been with Ultimate IT Guys since 2017.

We are from a small community and we just don’t have much for computer support in this area. I met him at Texas Housing Association and he has done a wonderful job for us. His service is 24/7, all I have to do is pick up a phone and call him. One of his support staff is always happy to work with us. I have all my faith in Ultimate IT Guys they do a wonderful job.

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McGregor Housing Authority

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They provided a big picture view of our business risk, then broke it down into actionable details through the assessments and the reports they provided to us. All very professional and informative but still in layman's language in a way that anyone can understand it.

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Lubbock TX Housing Authority

Ultimate IT Guys have truly been a big help to Trinidad Housing Authority for the past 5 years. From keeping our computer systems up to date and virus free, to their excellent customer service. When we have an issue with our computer software or hardware, there is never a wait and they are always there to help, and at very reasonable prices.

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Trinidad Housing Authority
Trinidad Texas

I highly recommend the Ultimate IT Guys to anyone who needs IT support services. They have consistently given us excellent service at a reasonable price.

They know the needs of PHA’s, and are particularly well suited to filling the IT needs of housing authorities who are not large enough to have their own in-house staff. They can do virtually all the work they need to do remotely, so there is no waiting for an IT tech to show up. Our experience with The Ultimate IT Guys has all been positive, they have been a pleasure to do business with!

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Overton Texas Housing Authority

I am very pleased with the service Mr. Davis and his team at Ultimate IT Guys provide. He is professional, thorough, and supports our industry with a high degree of integrity. He is available and has always helped me with IT problems in a timely manner. I feel I am very knowledgeable about technology and could do some of the same tasks Mr. Davis performs, however it is beneficial to me that my staff can call him with issues so we can be more productive and focus on housing needs instead of computer/technology related issues and back-ups.

I would highly recommend Mr. Davis and his company.

Thank you,

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Executive Director
Waurika Housing Authority

It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to recommend Ultimate IT Guys for your IT Services. They been working with our agency since 2013 as our IT Technicians.

They are not only dependable, but also willing to take the time to discuss our concerns and respond to our questions in a timely manner. Their services and pricing are the best in the market. They are a great company to work with and I give my highest recommendation.

If you would like to ask me specific questions about their service, contact me at 281-427-6686 X 11.

Joyce Young
Executive Director
Baytown Housing Authority
Baytown, TX

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