Working from home used to be an anomaly. It was a nice perk, but certainly not something to be expected. But when stay-at-home mandates forced businesses to evolve, whether they were ready or not, remote work became a permanent shift for many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Although most companies have addressed the obvious threats associated with this setup—including educating employees about phishing scams and setting up network firewalls—several other risks remain. Failing to address the lesser-known dangers and their potential consequences can lead to catastrophic data breaches and financial losses.
Consider these five often-overlooked security risks, understand the dangers they pose and discover ways to guard against them. These insights can be the key to sustainable and secure growth in a remote-first world.
1—The Unseen Dangers of Home Networks
Home Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, and employees may use default router passwords that are easy for cybercriminals to crack. Additionally, their personal devices may share the same network, increasing the risk of hacking since these devices are typically less secure. About 40% of remote workers use a home Wi-Fi connection to log in to work, and 30% say they do not use a virtual private network (VPN) to access the company network.
The risk: Unsecured home networks provide an easy entry point for attackers to move laterally from personal devices to company-owned computers or laptops. This allows cybercriminals to potentially access sensitive business information.
The safeguard: Securing laptops is not enough. Business owners should ensure the environment in which their devices operate is also secured. It’s vital to install a business-grade VPN service or network monitoring tool designed specifically for SMBs. It will encrypt data in transit, mask the worker’s IP address, and allow employees to safely access company files and data, ensuring confidentiality and privacy.
2—Shadow IT and Unsanctioned Applications
Employees often use personal applications for work-related tasks, including cloud storage and messaging apps, without company IT approval. This is known as shadow IT. The lack of oversight related to its use can lead to data breaches, information loss, and malware infections.
AI is a major player here. One study found that 59% of employees use AI tools their employers haven’t approved, and 75% of them say they share potentially sensitive data with them.
The risk: These unsanctioned apps are not controlled by the company’s security framework, creating data silos that can’t be monitored or protected. This increases the risk of information leaks, malware infections, and compliance failures due to insufficient oversight. Additionally, shadow IT increases the attack surface, making the network vulnerable to infiltration.
The safeguard: Companies need to go beyond simply prohibiting the use of shadow IT apps. They should view it as a learning opportunity to strengthen inadequate or inefficient official tools. Leaders should provide sanctioned, user-friendly alternatives that enhance productivity without sacrificing security. Examples include SaaS management platforms and cloud access security brokers, as well as clear policies and training on technology use.
3—Accidental and Malicious Insider Threats
All SMBs should consider the risks posed by insider threats from remote workers themselves. These can either be accidental, such as someone inadvertently exposing sensitive information, or a disgruntled employee purposefully trying to harm the company. Cyberthreats posed by insiders include inserting malware to disrupt company networks or embedding malicious content into legitimate online advertising.
The risk: Accidental data sharing, falling for social engineering, and using weak passwords can be just as harmful as a sophisticated external hack. Purposeful sabotage can also erode trust and damage the company’s reputation. Remote work can exacerbate these issues by making it harder to monitor employee behavior.
The safeguard: SMBs must implement a “zero-trust” framework that assumes no user or device is automatically trustworthy. This involves strict access controls, including implementing the principle of least privilege, so employees only have access to files necessary for their jobs. Businesses should also promote a culture that embraces worker well-being and conduct comprehensive screening of all employees.
4—Outdated Physical and Firmware Security
Remote workers’ devices are vulnerable to infiltration since the firmware of routers and other IoT devices is rarely updated, leaving these weaknesses unpatched. Routers, modems, keyboards, hard drives, and printers can all be left exposed to hacking. For example, one study found that although 33% of IT decision-makers felt confident that their print infrastructure was protected against security breaches, 74% had experienced data loss from unsecured printing practices. Print-related data breaches alone average $400,000 per incident, so SMBs should consider the implications of multiple device exposure.
The risk: Unpatched firmware on a remote worker’s home network can be exploited to intercept all network traffic. It can allow unauthorized access and let attackers intercept sensitive data, such as login credentials. It can even pave the way for botnet recruitment, which can slow down or disrupt the victim’s internet service and contribute to broader cybersecurity problems.
The safeguard: SMBs should educate remote workers on the importance of updating all network-connected firmware. In addition, investing in services that offer endpoint detection and response is vital to providing an active defense against known and unknown malicious activity.
5—Complacency With “Good Enough” Security
Many SMBs set up basic security measures, such as a standard antivirus program, and then assume their remote workers are fully protected. However, cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and a “set it and forget it” approach is not enough to effectively handle the challenges of today.
The risk: Outdated security protocols can be easily bypassed by modern cyberattacks. Hackers leave the business exposed to data theft, ransomware, and reputational damage. That’s why it’s vital to stay on top of the programs used to keep the company safe and ensure they are updated or replaced when new versions are released.
The safeguard: Cybersecurity is an ongoing business function. Proactive, ongoing risk assessment is the minimum requirement for SMBs. Companies should work with a managed security service provider or a continuous security monitoring service to ensure all systems operate at peak efficiency. They should also verify automatic updates for all operating systems and third-party software.
Keeping Remote Workers’ Networks Secure
SMBs have a lot on their plates, but they should always make time to ensure remote workers are fully supported with the latest security features, so their work does not put the company at risk. Business owners should take a proactive approach and view cybersecurity as a critical investment in the company’s future. In the modern business landscape, this is a competitive advantage that paves the way for continued growth.
Eleanor Hecks is a small business writer and researcher with more than five years of experience in the industry as Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine. Her work has been featured in a range of business and marketing publications, including Fast Company, HubSpot, and Clutch.co.
Photo courtesy Philip Oroni for Unsplash+