What comes to your mind when it comes cybersecurity?

Certainly, this question evokes the picture of your company’s network, connectivity, systems, and security arrangements, as if they are hacked or how that situation is likely to be. For sure, it would be detrimental, as it can cause hefty losses. Here, selecting the right checklist for cybersecurity can prevent these losses, even if you have IT support and cybersecurity strategies or consultants in place.  

Let’s show you why this checklist is significant.

Why This Checklist Matters

Did you know that 86% of data breaches reported stolen or compromised credentials, according to a trusted source? This is not just one fact, but multiple other reasons are behind the logic for integrating cybersecurity checklists.

These multiple reasons are, but are not limited to evolving hybrid work culture, remote access to corporate resources, unsafe Wi-Fi, shared devices, and unmanaged endpoint. These conditions expose you to uncertain cyberthreats like phishing, insecure networks, ransomware or uncontrolled access.

Overall, these conditions can generate the need for a cybersecurity checklist:

1. Quick responses to IT glitches or issues across locations and devices during remote working.
2. Unidentified access can lead to losing control of devices and sensitive data.
3. The need to gain visibility, monitoring, and security enforcement can be required beyond office walls. 
4. Unaware employees may unknowingly lead to compromising security.

Considering these points, the integration of hybrid work IT support into daily operations is key for smooth workflows and compliance.

1. Identity & Access Management (IAM)

You can practically witness how a case proves IAM a significant component for cybersecurity. This case belongs to a hybrid identity solution that integrated an on-premises Active directory forest with Azure Active Directory so stakeholders and unique users can enjoy failsafe access across cloud and local resources. By leveraging features like pass-through authentication, MFA, self-service password reset, conditional access, automatic enrollment, and Azure AD, the journey to explore SaaS, MS Office 365 and other corporate applications was turned seamless for stakeholders.

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Multi-factor authentication or MFA should be implemented to ensure foundational control.
• Least-privilege access & role-based permissions: Restrict access to necessary data or resources for users as per their roles. Reserve administrative rights to limited hands only.
• Single Sign-On (SSO) and centralised identity management: Establish single sign-on and one-point identity management to enforce accessibility rules to remote workers across locations.
• Automatic provisioning / de-provisioning: Set the provision of quick access removal in case of employee acquittal.
• Access reviews & audit logs: Monitor and revise access, as people often get promotions and transfers in different departments. It prevents anomalies from logging.

2. Device & Endpoint Security

• Standardised, secured devices: Try to provide company-managed systems. If “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) model is followed, emphasize security basics like encryption, antivirus, secure configuration, etc.
• Patch management & software updates: Software renewal and patches can be difficult to manage frequently.  So, you can turn on automated updates of OS, browser, and applications across all endpoints (internal and external).
• Endpoint Protection / EDR: As far as remote security is concerned, deploy anti-malware, endpoint detection & response, and remote deletion from lost/stolen devices.
• Secure configuration of home networks: For remote teams, guide how to keep strong wi-fi credentials, WPA3, and personalize router settings (from default settings). Also, educate them to secure access to sensitive data and tools.  
• Device access checks: Verify devices and their compliance before their access. There must not be any software or encryption issues.

3. Network & Remote Access Controls

• Secure VPN or Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): VPNs allow secure access to inaccessible networks. Their security must be ensured by enabling the Zero Trust authentication model. 
• Segment networks: Split a network into micro segments, segmenting resources as per roles, location, and device types for safe remote or hybrid work.
• Secure connectivity for remote users: Do not compromise with local hotspots. Choose trusted ones. Also, it is mandatory to use company-approved networks, avoiding public Wi-Fi.
• Firewall and edge protection: Set up corporate firewalls to log and manage remote access from anywhere.
• Monitor network traffic: Deploy authentic tools to monitor remote activities and detect unusual data flows.  Remote IT support teams should be able to recognize anomalies.

4. Data Protection & Collaboration

• Encrypt data at rest and in transit: Convert corporate data into codes when storing or sharing online. In short, follow encryption. 
• Cloud services & file sharing security: Cloud usage increases over time, especially when you follow hybrid work culture. Practice following security protocols for sharing files or working with collaboration tools.
• Backup & disaster recovery: Remote IT support teams should frequently backup data for quick retrievals in the case of ransom attacks, or loss of sensitive data.
• Shadow IT monitoring: IT teams should relentlessly monitor and see if remote teams are using unauthorized apps. Immediately identify and ban their access for overcoming uncontrolled risk.

5. Help Desk & Remote IT Support Integration

• 24/7 or extended help-desk availability: Hybrid work may attract issues before or after standard office hours. Remote IT support experts can assist the team via service-desk coverage, ticketing solutions, and monitoring.
• Remote Tracking & IT Handling tools: Equip your IT specialists with IT monitoring tools to remotely observe and see accessible devices. Use them to push updates, troubleshoot, and comply with security rules.
• Set an Incident Response System: There must be a stringent and clear escalation system to report and address security incidents like phished credentials and compromised devices.
• Clarify hybrid/remote working policy: Set policies and protocols according to the gaps you have found in the use of remote devices, software, home network, etc.
• Documentation & knowledge base: Maintain an insightful record, stating all technical issues, fixes, security guidelines, and remote access steps to guide new employees, or ensure fast support.

6. Improve User Awareness & Train

• Security awareness training for hybrid staff: Employees working from home or any location must be aware of tweaks to deal with phishing, home network risks, and security issues.
• Policy for acceptable use, BYOD work culture: Define what devices, networks, and locations are red flags and what data should be shared. Share the consequences of violating these guidelines. 
• Incident-reporting Guide: Filter out suspicious emails or devices in your log and prohibit their use or access immediately.
• Regular Mockups: Like preparations for critical examination, conduct mock drills to overcome tech glitches or incidents for uptime.
• Feedback and continuous improvement: Take feedback to discover insights into active and inactive technical tools or databases to streamline improvement in policies.

7. Passwordless or Conditional Access

Modern hybrid work culture is successful because of passwordless or conditional access systems. Passwordless or conditional access means allowing exposure to IT environments without passwords or according to some conditions.  Here are some benefits that strengthen security for hybrid work environments:

1. These options eliminate the risk of using weak passwords, which ultimately narrows down login friction.
2. This type of access can be associated with biometric, hardware tokens, or device-based authentication. These ways ensure secure access by authenticating identity, device health location, and risk levels.
3. These alternatives allow trusted stakeholders to access sensitive information or business applications, irrespective of their location.

8. Remote Wipe Policies & Auto-Enrolment

Remote wipe policies represent a series of significant security rules that automate deletion of corporate data from lost, stolen, or compromised devices from remote locations. Auto-enrolment is contrary to it, enabling automatic reset of devices that are configured with the organisational security settings. It covers applications and compliance policies also.

1. Remote wipe policies: Clean lost and stolen devices instantly to prevent sensitive corporate records from the clutches of hackers or unauthorised users.
2. Auto-enrolment adds a layer of security by automatically turning on the right security settings, updates, and compliance rules as soon as a device turns on for usage.
3. These settings proactively standardised data control, encouraging compliance automatically for hybrid workers.

Conclusion

A hybrid work culture invites threats, which an expert remote IT support team can prevent. It can monitor, secure, and manage dispersed workstations and user activities. The aforesaid checklist covers everything, from identification, devices & networks to data, training, and monitoring. SMBs need these practices to avoid cybersecurity risks. These hacks can help in managing IT infrastructure effectively without breaking the bank. You don’t need to invest an overwhelming amount to deploy advanced tools and technologies. With managed IT cyber security and support like passwordless authentication and auto-enrolment, remote work culture can be strengthened as these solutions minimise risk and turn operations secure and seamless.