Technological innovations and globalization have allowed international organizations and local businesses to provide workers with remote access to their networks and servers. However, working from home has its set of disadvantages, primarily in cyber security, as it increases the chances of mishaps that might expose critical company information to competitors and third parties with selfish or destructive intentions. All individuals working remotely and within the institution should observe high operational standards and adopt strategies to limit cyber security threats due to negligence. Thus, the following policy brief details the initiatives and guidelines that administrators and information managers in a criminal investigation department should observe to protect against breaches of information and unauthorized access due to careless remote access work practices.
Background of Information
Employees with remote work access experience several benefits due to the flexibility and efficiency of completing their tasks at home or on the move. However, working from home risks the safety of organizational information. It exposes its servers and networks to risks due to inappropriate cyber security practices and attacks by malicious parties that may access the data through public networks and insecure channels. Subsequently, these threats bear severe implications for all shareholders in the organization. Therefore, it is better to ensure positive outcomes by guiding staff members on what to avoid when working remotely. In addition, it is necessary to offer support and assistance to ensure that all devices used to work remotely are updated with the latest antivirus security and protected from unauthorized access by third parties.
Purpose and Scope of the Policy Brief
Over the past years, instances of unauthorized access to critical organizational information and security breaches have increased due to external attacks targeted at the New York criminal investigations department. However, an evaluation shows that most cyber-criminals and offenders take advantage of gaps in systems adopted for remote working initiatives as the department observes high levels of information security within its setting (Curran, 2020). Therefore, the following brief intends to align the cyber-security practices of staff members working remotely in a crimes investigation department in New York. The policy brief will cover areas of access restriction using passwords, connecting to secure or private networks, and using updated antivirus applications to limit third parties from accessing the institution’s information.
Causes and Implications of Inappropriate Remote Work Access Practices
Working remotely allows employees to manage their schedules and deliver on their obligations regardless of location and time. Additionally, it enables organizations to improve their prospects by enhancing their efficiency (Georgiadou et al., 2022). However, distant working limits the amount of control organizations have over their employees and obligates them to depend on the staff’s dedication to organizational standards (Wang & Alexander, 2021). As a result, negligence often results in mishandling organizational data, carelessly storing passwords, and practices such as logging into user account using insecure networks and devices with obsolete antivirus software applications. Additionally, lacking awareness of the essence of data security limits employees from taking strict measures to protect organizational information (Ramadan et al., 2021). Therefore, institutional standards should establish guidelines to prevent inappropriate work-from-home practices that may result in data breaches and unauthorized access.
Cyber security issues such as third parties’ unauthorized access to critical information and data breaches have adverse implications on employees, institutions, and the individuals they serve. Exposing vital information to the wrong people can harm an organization’s reputation and question its ability to handle critical issues (Curran, 2020). Additionally, accessing individuals’ private information puts clients at risk of blackmail and defamation. In turn, fewer people may want to engage or do business with organizations that do not observe the tenets of confidentiality, which may reduce the number of consumers and loyal customers (Wang & Alexander, 2021). Moreover, employees may face reparations due to litigation or suspension. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent these outcomes by adhering to guidelines that oversee the appropriate use and enhanced security of institutional systems in work-from-home initiatives.
Recommendations and Policy Implications
Standardized policies are critical in guiding all individuals in the institution toward the right direction in ensuring data security. The proposed recommendations aim to reduce unauthorized access to institutional information and data breaches due to staff negligence while working from home. Therefore, all individuals should adhere to the stipulations and immediately report to the concerned department in case they need assistance or in case of issues such as lost devices and misplaced passwords.
- Employees working from home should pay attention to high levels of cyber security practices. Thus, the organization expects them to familiarize themselves with all the requirements and checklists for keeping their passwords and devices safe. Generally, employees should store their passwords far from others’ reach. Additionally, they should use secure networks to access user accounts since hackers can quickly obtain information from public networks.
- The organization will occasionally offer premium antivirus software packages that all individuals should install and run on their devices. Keeping up with the latest spyware will help prevent third parties from interfering with the system and its servers using computer viruses. In addition, they will keep organizational files encrypted and safe from destruction.
- Finally, the institution will provide occasional training sessions that all employees must attend. The sessions will involve education regarding cyber security issues and assessments to evaluate participants’ understanding. These programs are critical in informing staff members of the adverse implications of data breaches and solutions to protect their data and devices from unauthorized access.
Adopting standard cyber security practices, using the latest antivirus software, and informing employees of the need to observe high levels of data security are critical to the organization’s success as these initiatives limit breaches and attacks. As a result, the institution will keep its promise of confidentiality to its customers and avoid the implications of unauthorized data access, including lawsuits, customer dissatisfaction, and lost revenue. Therefore, observing the policy recommendations will allow all staff members in the organization to benefit.
Work-from-home opportunities provide organizations and employees with numerous benefits due to flexibility, increased efficiency, and self-management. However, remote working exposes organizations to cyber security threats due to staffs’ negligence and inappropriate practices such as using public networks and ineffective antivirus software. Therefore, policies that target increasing employee awareness of their role in securing organization data, providing staff with access to the latest spyware and antivirus software solutions, and championing appropriate cybersecurity practices when working remotely can help mitigate the organization Against associated adversities. Paying attention to the appropriate utilization of institutional systems at home also protects the institution’s customers from parties that may harm their reputation. Thus, all individuals working remotely should observe the recommended policy guidelines as they will help avoid losses and unnecessary problems.
References
Curran, K. (2020). Cyber security and the remote workforce. Computer Fraud & Security, 2020(6), 11-12. Web.
Georgiadou, A., Mouzakitis, S., & Askounis, D. (2022). Working from home during COVID-19 crisis: a cyber security culture assessment survey. Security Journal, 35(2), 486–505. Web.
Ramadan, R. A., Aboshosha, B. W., Alshudukhi, J. S., Alzahrani, A. J., El-Sayed, A., & Dessouky, M. M. (2021). Cybersecurity and Countermeasures at the Time of Pandemic. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2021. Web.
Wang, L., & Alexander, C. A. (2021). Cyber security during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 5(2), 146–157. Web.