Cybersecurity for Remote Teams: Protecting a Distributed Workforce

The remote and hybrid work world is here to stay. Whether your employees are working from home, coworking, or coffee shop offices, the benefits are huge, but the risks associated with cybersecurity cannot be ignored.

When remote workers are not protected by the physical security of a corporate network and the presence of in-house IT monitoring, they become more susceptible to phishing scams, cyber attacks, or careless breaches of security by employees with the best of intentions but a lack of understanding of security best practices when using personal computer hardware or failing to store or share sensitive or confidential data properly.

For businesses of any size, and in particular those that are not employing full-time staff in their internal security department, developing a strong cybersecurity environment for remote work is crucial. Here’s what this looks like.

The Evolving Threat Landscape for Remote Work

When your team works outside your physical network perimeter, your attack surface expands. Devices that were once behind a secure firewall are now connecting from home routers, shared Wi-Fi, and even mobile hotspots. Meanwhile, attackers have adapted, crafting phishing scams designed to exploit the isolation and urgency of remote work.

Ransomware operators, in particular, have shifted their focus toward remote access points and unpatched collaboration tools. A simple VPN misconfiguration or outdated endpoint security could give them all the access they need to lock your systems, steal your data, or extort your team.

The largest risk? Many companies are unaware of how they are affected until it’s too late.

Securing Devices, Wherever They Are

A cybersecurity strategy should begin with the following fundamentals: ensuring the security of every device that is connected to the systems. This is important regardless of the devices that are being used by the employees of the company, which may be company devices or personal laptops.

This means that endpoint security solutions should be able to detect malware in real time, and this is in addition to traditional antivirus solutions. It should also entail proper password management mechanisms, disk encryption, automatic screen locking, and remote wipe functionality in case a device is lost or stolen.

If your team is using mobile devices in the workplace, either phones or tablets, those devices have to be protected too. You can use mobile device management software that helps you impose policy guidelines on those devices while respecting your employees’ privacy.”

Enforcing Secure Access with VPNs and MFA

As a best practice when working remotely, users must never directly connect to your internal infrastructure and data without going through secure access points. One solution to encrypt your internet traffic and provide your employees with a trusted tunnel to connect to the internet, even when working remotely using public Wi-Fi, is a Virtual Private Network.

However, this is still not sufficient for employing a VPN solution. You also need to implement Multi-factor authentication for all your essential applications and services. What this means is that your employees must authenticate their identities by using a second method, such as a text sent to their mobile number, to grant them access.

Together, VPNs and MFA drastically reduce the chance of unauthorized access, even if someone’s password is compromised.

Educating Your Team About Social Engineering

Technology can only do so much. Many cyberattacks begin not with a technical breach, but with a well-crafted email or message designed to trick someone into clicking the wrong link or handing over credentials.

This is why employee education is one of your strongest defenses.

Remote workers need regular training on how to recognize phishing emails, fake login pages, suspicious links, and urgent requests for sensitive data. But don’t rely on a one-time training video. Simulated phishing campaigns, real-world examples, and short monthly reminders can help keep security top of mind, without overwhelming your team.

Security awareness isn’t just about compliance, it’s about creating a culture where people think twice before clicking.

Managing Cloud Access and Data Sharing

Remote work thrives on cloud-based collaboration tools. Platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, and Slack allow your team to work from anywhere, but they also create opportunities for sensitive data to be mishandled if access isn’t tightly controlled.

Start by reviewing who has access to what. Role-based permissions ensure that employees only see the files and apps they actually need. You should also set expiration dates for file-sharing links and monitor activity logs to detect unusual behavior.

When employees leave the company, access should be revoked immediately. This is a simple process with a centralized identity and access management (IAM) system, but much harder to track if your IT setup is fragmented.

Backing Up Data for Resilience

No matter how many protections you have in place, no system is immune to failure. That’s why regular backups are essential.

Make sure all remote devices are backing up to a secure cloud location, or that the data lives within centralized systems you control. This protects your organization from data loss due to ransomware, hardware failure, or accidental deletion.

Your backup plan should be tested periodically to ensure recovery works as expected. It’s not enough to have the files saved somewhere, they need to be retrievable and complete when you need them most.

Establishing a Clear Remote Work Policy

Strong cybersecurity for remote teams isn’t just about technology, it’s about consistency. Every employee should know what’s expected of them when working outside the office.

A remote work policy outlines what devices can be used, what software is allowed, how data should be stored, and what to do in case of a suspected breach. It should also include guidelines for password management, screen sharing during calls, and what kinds of networks are safe to use.

Without clear expectations, even the most well-intentioned employees can make costly mistakes.

Partnering With a Managed IT Provider

For many organizations, building and enforcing all these layers of remote cybersecurity in-house isn’t realistic. That’s where a Managed IT Services provider can help.

At Combined Technology, we help Oklahoma businesses protect their distributed teams through secure infrastructure, endpoint management, 24/7 monitoring, and employee training. Our cybersecurity approach is designed to support both traditional and hybrid workforces, keeping data safe without sacrificing flexibility.

If your business is navigating the complexities of remote work, we can help you build a stronger foundation.

Final Thoughts

Remote work has brought enormous benefits in flexibility and talent access, but it has also redefined what cybersecurity looks like. From home networks and personal devices to cloud-based apps and phishing threats, your organization faces a wider range of risks than ever before.

The good news? With the right tools, policies, and support, you can keep your remote teams productive and protected.

Contact Combined Technology to schedule a cybersecurity assessment for your remote or hybrid workforce. Let’s build a safer, smarter way to work, wherever your team logs in.