8 Measures You Must Take to Protect Remote Workers

As remote work becomes the norm, especially following events like the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses continue to face new challenges in keeping their data secure. Employees working from home are often far from their IT teams and may not have the same level of protection as they do in the office. This creates new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses through malicious websites, phishing schemes, ransomware, and fake apps.

Protecting remote workers is essential to maintaining business continuity and security. Below are eight key measures every organization should take to safeguard its remote workforce.

1) Enforce Clear Technology Policies

When personal and work environments overlap, employees may be tempted to use personal tools like Dropbox or Google Drive for work tasks. However, not all consumer tools meet corporate security standards.

IT administrators should clearly define which tools are approved and ensure employees acknowledge and follow those guidelines. Technologies outside IT’s control should not be used for company data or communication.

2) Keep Systems and Applications Updated

Ensure all operating systems, applications, and communication tools are regularly updated with the latest security patches. This includes web browsers, collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, and video conferencing software.

A patch-management system—like ManageEngine—can help IT teams track updates, enforce compliance, and verify a device’s health before allowing access to company resources.

3) Require VPN Connections for Remote Access 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts the connection between remote employees and your company’s network, creating a secure tunnel that hides endpoints from hackers. This helps employees safely access company files, even when using public Wi-Fi.

Encryption ensures that if data is intercepted, it cannot be read or misused.

4) Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 

Strong passwords alone are no longer enough. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection by requiring multiple forms of verification—such as a code sent to a mobile device or answers to personalized security questions. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if credentials are stolen.

5) Create a Clear Incident Response Plan 

Every organization needs a defined plan for responding to security incidents, such as ransomware attacks or data breaches.

Establish dedicated communication channels—like a support email or hotline—so remote workers can quickly report suspicious activity.

A structured response plan helps IT teams act fast to contain threats, restore systems, and recover lost data.

6) Standardize on a Managed Antivirus Solution 

Home computers used for remote work can vary widely in their security setup. To maintain consistency, organizations should require a centrally managed antivirus solution across all remote systems.

This ensures uniform protection against malware, ransomware, and threats introduced by removable devices like USB drives.

 7) Back Up Data to Multiple, Secure Locations 

Critical data should always be backed up in multiple locations.

Using a centrally monitored endpoint backup solution—such as NovaBACKUP—allows administrators to monitor backup status and data integrity from anywhere.

Automated backups can capture daily changes and be stored on dedicated servers or in cloud environments such as NovaBACKUP Cloud, OneDrive, or other S3-compatible storage.

 8) Educate Employees on Security Best Practices 

Technology alone can’t protect a business—employee awareness plays a key role. Provide ongoing training to help remote workers recognize phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and other cyber threats.

Explain how individual actions, like downloading unauthorized software or reusing passwords, can put company data at risk.

Consider sharing how your IT team uses penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and improve defenses.

Final Thoughts

Protecting remote workers requires more than quick fixes—it demands a holistic, proactive strategy.

By implementing these eight measures, organizations can strengthen their defenses, minimize risks, and promote safer digital habits across their workforce.

As hybrid and remote work models continue to evolve, prioritizing cybersecurity will remain key to maintaining resilience, trust, and long-term success.

For more security tips for remote workers, download our eBook.