Remote Work and Network Management Challenges
/
Keeping networks secure is challenging even when everyone works from one place on the same network. Once your workforce is split across multiple locations, with many employees working from home or on the road, it becomes even more strenuous for network managers and cybersecurity specialists.
Modern businesses, especially those with a hybrid workforce, need to understand the increasing risks associated with remote network management — and how to hire the right personnel to handle those challenges.
Unavoidable: Increasing Your Attack Surface
The attack surface of your organization’s network indicates how many vulnerabilities exist in your network. Vulnerabilities are “weak” points where cybercriminals can access your network and potentially sensitive data. These vulnerabilities are called attack vectors and range from poor password practices to out-of-date cybersecurity tools.
Remote work has, inevitably, increased the attack surface of most networks. Around 14% of workers are now fully remote and 28% have a hybrid work pattern. These workers need to access their firms’ networks using laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones from multiple locations and off-site networks.
As soon as these additional devices are introduced, the primary network becomes wider and more vulnerable. The attack surface is extended, creating unique challenges for network managers and cybersecurity teams.
Essential: Investing in Robust Security Solutions
When the workforce is spread out in this way, every device used — whether it’s a personal device or provided by the workplace — needs to connect to the network as securely as if it were in the office. However, without talented network security specialists to oversee the setup of remote devices, security vulnerabilities can quickly arise. Challenges include:
The use of unsecured networks, for example, public Wi-Fi
Devices that don’t meet internal security requirements
The use of the same passwords to access multiple networks or systems
Limited channels of communication between remote workers and on-site IT teams
Utilizing personal devices to save time or deal with business-critical tasks — users might not want to wait for IT specialists to secure and connect their work devices
Ideally, as soon as someone moves to remote work or is hired as a remote worker, steps should be implemented to ensure they have access to secure devices. This involves investing in security architecture that can handle these various remote connections.
Zero trust network architecture (ZTNA) is one method for securing networks with varying access requirements. The network starts from a stance of not allowing access, requesting various details before allowing connections to complete. Data a ZTNA network might need includes:
Device type
Network type
Location
Credentials
Many ZTNA networks will re-request this information on every connection. Some may even have layered network security, allowing access to specific assets only. For example, a remote customer service agent might be able to access the company knowledge base but nothing else.
Business Driven: Balancing Cybersecurity and Productivity
It’s clear that intense security protocols are required to manage increasing network attack surfaces. After all, cybercrime is on the rise, with 29% of organizations stating that they were financially impacted by cyberattacks in 2023.
However, if network teams make their cybersecurity posture too robust, it can impact the ability of remote workers to access the assets they need. Going back to the customer service agent — if they can’t access that knowledge base because the network manager has decided to cut all connections from external networks, they’re going to be left with some very dissatisfied customers. Productivity will drop, as will employee morale.
Skilled cybersecurity specialists need to balance the need for robust security protocols with the importance of supporting remote teams. For most organizations, this means taking a holistic approach where chief information security officers (CISOs), cybersecurity teams, and department managers work together to assess risks and create effective network security solutions.
Network Security Tools for Effective Management of Remote Teams
Network managers must be knowledgeable and adaptable in order to rise to these challenges of remote and hybrid working. However, there are many tools on hand to help:
Automatic secure password generators
Multi-device malware protection
Multi-device firewalls, often used in tandem with ZTNA architecture
Centralized security operations centers (SOC) with the ability to connect to multiple networks
Secure file-sharing apps and protocols
Takeaway: Remote Work Requires Innovative Approaches to Network Management.
Addressing the increasing challenges of remote work requires innovative approaches to network management. If you’re thinking about the best way to attract talented cybersecurity and network specialists, connect with The Trevi Group. Our talent consultants can ensure you onboard the right people to help future-proof your business and support your in-house, remote, and hybrid personnel.
The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com
#thetrevigroup #recruitingtrends #informationtechnology #employmenttrends #jobmarket #hiringtrends
