Cybersecurity For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 6

Cybersecurity Considerations When Working from Home

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding that remote working creates security risks

Understanding various types of risks created by — or made worse by — remote working

Learning how to address risks when working from home

In early 2020, the spread of a new, deadly and highly contagious disease — COVID-19 — began to facilitate a worldwide change in the way many people work. For the first time in generations, the need to stop a global pandemic led to governments enforcing lockdowns that prohibited people from working together in offices. Unlike during all prior such lockdowns in human history, however, technological advances made over the past few decades meant that many people who would otherwise have been unable to work, could, in fact, continue to do their jobs — albeit remotely.

Naturally, the sudden transition of a tremendous number of in-office workers to remote workers, and on such short notice, translated into a whole host of cybersecurity challenges. In addition, while many business leaders initially thought that the remote-working phase would be short-lived, that was not to be the case. Remote working in some fashion is here ...