Business

Cybersecurity for Remote Employees: A Complete Guide

Cybersecurity for remote employees explained, with actionable steps to protect data across remote and hybrid teams.

With the rise of remote work, employees now access company systems from locations outside the traditional office. As a result, 20% of organizations reported a security breach related to remote access.

This guide outlines key risks and controls IT and security teams can use to protect data, systems, and connectivity, including secure data options such as Holafly for Business.

In this article

What is cybersecurity for remote employees?

Cybersecurity for remote employees refers to security measures, policies, and technologies that protect company data, systems, and networks when employees work outside traditional office environments.

It encompasses:

Network security, such as VPNs, secure connections, and encrypted communications.
Device security, including endpoint protection, patch management, and device controls.
Access management based on authentication, authorization, and least privilege.
Data protection through encryption, data loss prevention, and secure file sharing.
Human factors, including security awareness training and policy compliance.

Cybersecurity for remote employees differs from office security because traditional perimeter-based models fail when employees access systems from homes, cafes, airports, and hotels. Meaning it requires a zero-trust approach that verifies every access request regardless of location.

Why is cybersecurity important for remote teams?

Remote work rose fivefold from 2019 to 2023, with 40% of US employees now working at least one day a week.

Seven reasons why cybersecurity is critical for remote teams:

Expanded attack surface. Every remote employee creates new entry points for threat actors beyond the traditional network perimeter.
Financial impact. The average data breach costs $4.88 million, and ransomware attacks can halt operations entirely.
Compliance requirements. Regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 require data protection regardless of employee location, tying cybersecurity to corporate travel security and employer duty of care.
Reputational damage. Security breaches erode customer trust and lead to lost business.
Intellectual property protection. Remote access to sensitive data and trade secrets requires robust security.
Business continuity. Security incidents can disrupt operations for distributed teams. Travel risk management for companies becomes critical when employees access systems from multiple locations during business trips.
Competitive advantage: Strong security posture differentiates companies with clients and partners.

Common cybersecurity risks for remote employees

Telecommuting exposes organizations to security risks less common in controlled office environments, affecting networks, devices, data, and user behavior.

Phishing and social engineering attacks. These attacks increased by 600% during the remote work surge, according to Business Insider. Email, text, and voice-based scams target credentials and approvals. AI-powered tools make scams more sophisticated, making it harder for remote workers to verify suspicious requests.
Unsecured WiFi networks. Public WiFi at cafes, airports, and hotels often lacks encryption, allowing attackers to intercept data through man-in-the-middle attacks. Home routers usually have default passwords and outdated firmware.
Personal device vulnerabilities (BYOD risks). Personal devices may lack security updates, patches, strong passwords, or corporate endpoint protection. Lost or stolen devices can expose company data. Mixed personal and business use creates contamination risks.
Ransomware attacks. Malware locks systems and data until a ransom is paid. Attacks often spread through phishing emails or malicious downloads, causing operational shutdown and data loss.
Weak password practices. Reused or easy-to-guess passwords across multiple accounts remain common, and credentials are sometimes shared through insecure channels.
Unpatched software and systems. Delayed updates leave known vulnerabilities open. Remote employees may ignore update prompts.
Physical security lapses. Devices may be left unattended in public spaces. Screens can be visible to unauthorized persons, and family members may use work devices.
Shadow IT and unauthorized applications. Employees may use unapproved tools for file sharing or communication that limit IT visibility and control.

Best practices for securing remote workers

The following remote work security best practices provide a framework for securing off-site employees and protecting company systems.

Implement Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Encrypt all data in transit between remote devices and corporate networks. Require VPN use for accessing company systems, and monitor access logs for unusual patterns.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Require MFA for all system and application access via SMS, authenticator apps, or hardware tokens. MFA prevents unauthorized access even when passwords are compromised.
Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). Enable continuous monitoring of all remote devices with automated threat detection and response. Maintain centralized visibility into endpoint security status.
Establish strong password policies. Require complex, unique passwords for every account. Use password managers to generate and securely store credentials. Enforce regular password rotation schedules and block commonly compromised passwords.
Maintain rigorous patch management. Automate software updates across all devices, apply security patches for operating systems and applications, and track vulnerabilities through scanning and remediation.
Provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for remote employees. Train staff to identify phishing and social engineering tactics through practical simulations, define clear reporting procedures for suspected threats, and update training as threats evolve.
Implement least privilege access controls. Apply role-based access control (RBAC) and grant only the minimum necessary permissions. Perform regular access audits and deprovisioning.
Secure home networks. Require changes to default router passwords, enable WPA3 encryption, update firmware, and use separate networks for work devices.
Mandate the use of corporate devices. Provide company-owned, secure devices when possible. If BYOD is required, enforce Mobile Device Management (MDM) with remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices.
Establish clear security policies. Document acceptable use, device handling procedures, incident reporting protocols, and consequences for policy violations.
Enable data encryption. Use full disk encryption on all devices, encrypted file storage and sharing, and secure email and messaging.
Conduct regular security audits. Perform periodic assessments, vulnerability testing, and compliance verification.

How Holafly for Business supports secure remote work

Holafly for Business supports secure remote work by providing peace of mind when working abroad.

Our business eSIM is designed for remote employees and international business travelers who need consistent access during meetings, conferences, and client visits. Devices are managed through the centralized Holafly Business Center dashboard, allowing organizations to control employee eSIMs.

Holafly Plans for Business, including unlimited data options, reduce reliance on unsecured public WiFi, offer coverage in more than 160 destinations, and eliminate international roaming charges.

Request a demo to see how Holafly for Business can help enhance your business travel connectivity.

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Tom O'Leary

SEO Content Specialist

I am a Liverpool-based SEO content specialist with years of experience crafting content that connects. I combine my love for clear communication with a passion for travel and languages (currently diving into Japanese!). At Holafly, I'm here to help you understand everything about staying connected abroad, turning technical jargon into straightforward advice you can actually use.

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