With the coronavirus threat having moved on from disrupting your business\u2019s supply chain to threatening your employees\u2019 health at home, now is the time to implement that company-wide remote workplace plan.<\/p>\n
While there are a host of considerations in transitioning to a fully remote workplace\u2014hardware, software, securing a connection, training employees, and maintaining productivity among them\u2014perhaps the most pressing issue is protecting your\u00a0company\u2019s sensitive data<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\u2026]<\/p>\n Remote employees are more susceptible to hackers and allowing unauthorized access.<\/p>\n And while top management may have secure connections, company laptops, and adequate training, other employees may not. They may be working remotely for the first time, trying to get acclimated with a host of new protocols and be productive while working from home. Converting an entire workplace to remote work is certainly a challenge, said\u00a0Gregory Bombard<\/a>, a partner with the law firm Duane Morris.<\/p>\n Bombard offered several \u201cspeed bumps\u201d for bad actors that could help prevent the theft or loss of company data by remote workers.<\/p>\n First, limit access to particularly sensitive information, he said, by increasing the permissions necessary to access it.<\/p>\n Then, \u201cmonitor employee accounts for unusual activity like large or rapid downloading, printing, or emailing of data. There is rarely a legitimate business purpose for large-scale transfers of data,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven adding a minor speed bump can help limit the risk,\u201d Bombard said. \u201cFor example, implementing a system where employees have to get approval before using file sharing websites, downloading significant amounts of data, or accessing particularly sensitive information.\u201d<\/p>\n Lastly\u2014and this might be difficult in a rapid scale-up of a remote workplace\u2014make sure all employees have appropriate non-disclosure agreements in place and receive training on the proper handling of confidential information. Employees should be regularly reminded of the company\u2019s policies for protecting its data and the consequences for failing to do so.<\/p>\n […]<\/p>\n