• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Network Security

How to Maintain Security When Employees Work Remotely

Many companies are allowing employees to work remotely more frequently as a recruitment and retention strategy, but that can't interfere with the security of the company's network.

March 19, 2019 Kevin Austin 1 Comment

NETSCOUT nGeniusEDGE Server

Working remotely as a concept is not new to the corporate world; however, it wasn’t always supported or preferred by employers of the yesteryears. Fast forward to today, global village and employers are actually comfortable with, if not encouraging, employees working remotely.

This change in attitude is largely attributed to tech, especially the connectivity introduced by the internet and the growing culture of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to work. And, it isn’t like employers are supporting this culture for the sake of employees only. The employer gets to cut the many costs associated with employees working in house. So, it’s a perfect win-win situation if we ever had one.

With Convenience Comes Threat

There are many different types of threats associated with employees working remotely. From an employee holding corporate data for ransom to corporate espionage; from regional restrictions to corporate network access; employees working remotely introduced employers to previously unknown challenges and threats.

A Digital Solution for Digital Problems

Since most threats associated with working remotely are digital in nature, the solution too needs to be digital, and a smart one at that. Thankfully, businesses have Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to thank for making their remote employees safe against hackers, data thieves, regional restrictions, keeping their corporate networks safe.

Don’t Know What a VPN Is? Allow Us to Explain.

Similar to the internet, which is a network of computers, VPNs are designed the same way, except for the fact that unlike the internet, this network is private, as the name implies. Normally, when you want to visit a website, you type URL into your browser, and it sends the request to your ISP. This is how your ISP knows which websites you visit and your other digital activities.

However, when you use a VPN, all the data sent and received by you on the internet is routed through the servers of the VPN provider. The data is encrypted and tunneled to the server, giving you impenetrable security, and blinding the ISP and hackers in the process. Since no one sees your data, no one knows what you do online.

Also, a VPN masks your IP address, making you anonymous on the internet and affording you the ability to access websites that might be blocked or restricted in your country or region.

Enough Mumbo Jumbo. How Does it Help Remote Employees and Employers?

Good question.

Let’s start with some question:

  • What if your remote employee’s device gets infected with a virus, and the virus then infiltrates your corporate network?
  • What if the sensitive data sent and received by your remote employee gets hijacked midway during transmission?
  • What if you had to restrict your corporate network to specific IPs? How would your remote employee connect to your network then?
  • What if regional restrictions stop your remote employee from accessing certain websites?
  • What if your corporate laptop, the smartphone or other device gets infected with malware?

The one simple solution to all these and other similar problems is a VPN. By having your remote employee install a VPN on their device, you can not only ensure the security of data but also the digital safety of the device!

There are many VPNs out there offering their services, some of the big names include PureVPN, ExpressVPN,PIA VPN and NordVPN. I’ll be taking PureVPN as an example to build my case.

Data Security

PureVPN offers top-of-the-line AES 256-bit encryption, which when translated into English means impenetrable security for your data. Even if the data is hijacked midway, the hijacker will only get to see gibberish data that’s impossible to decipher.

Furthermore, since all the traffic is routed via the VPN’s servers, viruses, malware, and similar threats are automatically blocked at the server end, leaving your device virus-free.

Kevin Austin is a cybersecurity expert and has many years of experience in the tech industry, He enjoys writing about information security, ethical hacking, IOT and anything related to technology. Also, Kevin spends most of his time learning new stuff and exploring new things around the world.

Overcoming Restrictions and Censorships

Even in countries like China and Iran where the internet is controlled by the government, a VPN gives you uninterrupted access to every website blocked or censored by the country. So, if your employee is at a location with rampant restrictions and censorships, they will be able to access any website with complete ease. Additionally, they won’t have to fear any backlash or repercussions since a VPN protects them and nobody can see what they are doing online.

Limited & Targeted Access

Even if you limit access to your corporate network to certain IPs only, your remote employee will be able to access your corporate assets securely, thanks to a VPN. Top-tier VPNs like TorGuard,PureVPN and NordVPN offer dedicated IPs, which make it easier for you to have a twofold cover of protection on your corporate network. You can allow the dedicated IP access to your network and remain free of any worries about viruses or malware wreaking havoc.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many benefits offered by VPNs for businesses and remote employees. If you want to grow your business without investing in infrastructure or additional IT costs, then empower your employees with a VPN and watch their productivity soar.    

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: BYOD, Cyber Attacks, Cyber Security

Related Content:

  • Cybersecurity and information or network protection. Future technology web services for business and internet project CrowdStrike Cyber Armageddon: How Do Firms Now Build…
  • DDoS, NETSCOUT Arbor Insight 7 Layers of DDoS Attacks and How To…
  • cisco webex-rooms-modern-space AVI-SPL Receives Cisco 2023 Reimagine Workspaces Partner of…
  • data breach Nearly 900 Schools Impacted by National Student Clearinghouse…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Download TechDecisions' Blueprint Series report on Security Awareness now!Blueprint Series: Why Your Security Awareness Program is Probably Falling Short

    Learn about the evolution of phishing attacks and best practices for security awareness programs to ensure your organization is properly prepared to defend against them in this report from TechDecisions' Blueprint Series.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Silvion says

    March 20, 2019 at 11:20 am

    I am a remote worker myself. I love the freedom and ability to travel while working not from the office. Yes, of course, I know it is a huge risk especially if I am using free Wi-Fi hotspots. But that is why we have a deal in my company, that those who work remotely must use a NordVPN app. Nothing is more important than security.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.