Alternative IT Security Measures to Ensure Cybersecurity for Remote Workspaces-converted
                     Alternative IT Security Measures to Ensure  
Cybersecurity for Remote Workspaces
COVID-19 has changed the modus operandi in every industry and sector. Organizations are  
quickly adapting themselves to new working protocols and realities. Since many organizations  
operating in the service-based sector have completely or partially moved to remote working, the 
 security professionals taking care of their network security have to adopt alternative IT security  
measures.
IT professionals who have had to manage in-office digital work environments now have to take 
 care of loosely bound remote workspaces. This drastic change in the nature of the work  
environment has posed new challenges to security professionals. Many of the remote working  
security challenges can’t be taken care of through conventional security measures used when  
an organization operates from a physical location.
This post will try to cover all alternative IT security measures that professionals need to fortify 
 remote workspaces’ cyber security.
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Alternative IT Security Measures for Remote Workspace
Review the List of Software Applications Used by Remote Workers
There is a list of software and applications that workers would need to operate from a remote  
location. From video conferencing apps to remote desktop software and online office suites to 
 cloud platforms, various tools and applications make the software division of remote working  
regimen.
It is the job of IT experts and security specialists to ensure there exists a synergy among the  
entire remote workforce with the use of these software solutions. First of all, IT experts need to 
 vet all the new software applications connected and synced with the organization network.
Whether it is a team chat app or a remote project management software, in-house IT experts  
have to assess every software and application for its security features. Once experts vet all  
these applications, they have to ensure that every remote user has installed it on their devices.
This software homogeneity in a remote workspace can help security experts guarantee that no  
weak link exists across the network.
Make an Endpoint Protection Policy and Implement It
IT specialists and security experts in any organization are in complete control of all the  
workstations at the physical offices of the organization. However, this control wears down when  
workers start using the organizational network from different endpoints. To make sure you don’t 
 lose grip on the network security, even if it has moved to a remote workspace, you need to  
devise a robust endpoint security regimen.
Regular antivirus programs and anti-malware software on remote workers’ devices are not  
enough to ensure endpoint security. You need to extend it beyond this conventional setting and 
 reinforce it with many new features. Let’s take a quick look at the elements that make an  
effective endpoint protection regimen.
Endpoint Detection and Response System
For starters, you need to work with the Endpoint Detection and Response system. Some  
experts also refer to it as Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). It is more proactive and advanced  
than regular anti-malware solutions in scanning, detecting, and investigating the infiltration of  
malicious codes or any other suspicious activity on hosts or network endpoints.
Data Loss Prevention
Besides EDR systems, you can use Data Loss Prevention (DLP) modules to ensure no data  
breach happens at the remote endpoints. Data loss prevention establishes a strict file tagging
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system to track data usage on endpoints and detect and prevent the exfiltration of sensitive 
 data.
Improved DNS Security
Another way to ensure foolproof endpoint security is that you enhance DNS security. It is easier  
to execute and implement than DLP modules because you can use third-party software  
solutions that leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence. With these state-of-the-art  
features, these advanced DNS security applications provide a layer of security not present in  
basic DNS services.
These are some of the features that enhanced DNS security can provide at endpoints.
 Blocks connections to blacklisted and known malicious sites even before an endpoint 
 connection establishes.
 Provides a more detailed inspection of activities across all devices and ports that is not  
available otherwise.
 Aborts reach-backs to malicious sites executed by malware lingering within the 
network.
Double-Check If Remote Access to Network Does not Open Floodgates to 
 New Threats
While setting up a remote working space, you need to reassess if it doesn’t make the  
organizational network more vulnerable to cyber threats. For instance, when establishing a  
remote desktop protocol, make sure you carefully choose the connection port. For instance, IT  
security reports suggest that cybercriminals try to target open RDP servers established through 
 Port 3389.
First of all, avoid establishing open remote access. But if you have to set up one, make sure that 
 the firewall is configured to allow only those static IP addresses used by your team.
Establish Privilege for Network Security
Security professionals need to establish network security privileges to keep digital infrastructure  
remote access remains in check. If you have established a remote working space through  
virtual machines, putting this measure in place is all more important.
Usually, the network privilege setting classifies users into three types: super users, standard  
users, and guest users.
 Super Users: As the term indicates, these users have access to every nook and corner 
 of the system. They can make changes across the network. They also get the authority 
 to install new applications and modify existing settings and user data. Organizations  
should provide the Super User privilege to a handful of trusted employees working in  
authoritative positions.
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 Standard Users: They are called the least privileged accounts and mostly give access 
 to a particular set of applications. For instance, a designer gets access to illustrator  
software and Outlook. Similarly, an accountant gets access to MS Office. A good  
practice is to have the entire workforce works as Standard Users.
 Guest User status is mainly used for third-party contractors. The privilege for a guest 
 user depends on their nature of work.
By offering these alternative IT security measures, IT experts and security professionals can  
ensure their services remain valuable to organizations and help them keep their remote working 
 environments safe and secure.
If you are looking for cyber security services in Greater Toronto area including Markham that 
 can help your remote workspace security, contact Microsys. We offer our expertise in  
conventional as well as alternative IT security measures for SMEs all across the industrial  
spectrum.
© Microsys. Permission required to use any content from this article.
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