Enterprises can manage cybersecurity across remote and hybrid workforces by replacing separate security tools with a single, cloud-based platform that protects every device, user and application from one console. This gives IT teams consistent visibility and control, whether employees work in the office, at home or on the move.
Why does remote and hybrid work create security gaps?
Remote employees often connect through home networks and personally subscribed cloud services that are poorly protected or not protected at all. Many organisations also rely on several disconnected security products, such as one for antivirus, another for encryption and another for email. This makes threats harder to detect and increases dwell time, which is the length of time an attack remains undetected inside a network.
What should a remote workforce security strategy include?
- Endpoint protection: Secure every laptop, smartphone and server that accesses company data.
- Centralised management: Monitor threats, apply policies and automate responses from one console.
- Cloud sandboxing: Test suspicious files in an isolated environment before they reach users.
- Cloud application security: Protect tools such as Microsoft 365 against spam, malware and phishing.
- Encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA): Secure data at rest and in motion, and verify users with more than a password.
Why does centralised management matter?
A unified platform automates monitoring and response tasks that would otherwise require a large Security Operations Centre (SOC), which is difficult to staff given the cybersecurity skills gap. It also supports compliance with data protection laws such as South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019.
How does the ESET PROTECT platform support remote and hybrid teams?
The cloud benefits within the ESET PROTECT platform give IT administrators real-time visibility of both on-premises and off-premises endpoints from a single dashboard. It runs as a cloud service, so it needs no physical server hardware and scales quickly as the workforce grows. Administrators can deploy protection, enforce security policies and respond to detections from anywhere, across desktops, servers, virtual machines and mobile devices.