INTHEBLACK May 2022 - Magazine - Page 66
WORK SMART
// T E C H TA L K
STORY GLENN REES
CYBERSECURITY
FOR REMOTE WORKERS
HOW CAN YO U PROTECT YOUR D E V I C ES A N D DATA, N O M AT T E R
WH ER E T H E Y A R E LOCAT E D?
E
ven before the pandemic, trends such as
the cloud computing boom had led to
the emergence of new security
challenges and solutions. Now, however, the
shift to remote and hybrid workforces has
demolished what was left of the traditional
defence “perimeter” – the office network.
The pressure is on companies to enable
employees to work flexibly and securely from
home or the office. In previous INTHEBLACK
issues, we explored the challenges businesses
face in enabling flexible hybrid working. These
included ensuring employees have the digital
infrastructure (see the March 2022 and
April 2022 issues of INTHEBLACK).
However, enabling employees to work
securely from anywhere is, if anything, an
even bigger challenge. Findings of the State
of Hybrid Workforce Security 2021 research
report by cyber security firm Paolo Alto shows
half of organisations compromised on risk
mitigation and security controls to enable
remote access for employees. How can
businesses turn that around and secure
their highly distributed networks?
ANTIVIRUS APPS
It starts with securing “endpoints” – the
computers and other devices accessing
business data. Antivirus software is the bare
minimum. Fortunately, most antivirus tools –
including Microsoft Defender, which comes
free with Windows – are very effective at
protecting systems from malware, according
to recent anti-malware test results by
AV-TEST, an independent organisation that
evaluates abd rates antivirus and security
suite software for Microsoft Windows and
Android operating systems, according to a
variety of criteria.
While Microsoft Defender performed well in
these tests, others scored even higher. Some
66 ITB May 2022
of the better performers included products
from Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, ESET,
FireEye, F-Secure, G Data, Kaspersky, Norton,
Sophos, Symantec and Trend Micro.
For example, in Table 1 we’ve listed the
consumer security apps that achieved
100 per cent detection and protection rates
and top-scored in AV-TEST’s performance
and usability testing.
In addition to top-notch malware
protection, these commercial apps offer
worthwhile extra features, such as online
banking and payments protection, a password
manager and virtual private network (VPN).
ENDPOINT SECURITY AND CONTROLS
For even better security across the company,
consider upgrading to business-grade
endpoint protection. These solutions provide
management tools, ensuring every device
accessing business data has up-to-date antivirus
software. They also provide multi-layered
protection, including allowing you to identify
risks such as vulnerable apps and devices.
Table 2 includes the endpoint protection
apps that achieved 100 per cent detection and
protection rates and top-scored in performance
and usability in AV-TEST’s results.
Alternatively, endpoint detection and
response solutions from the likes of
Bitdefender and Symantec go further with
more advanced tools to detect and contain
security incidents, and provide guidance on
how to resolve the problem.
MINIMISING “ATTACK SURFACES”
Protecting endpoints is just the start, however.
Businesses need to guard other “attack
surfaces” that cybercriminals target. Malicious
emails are still a huge threat, for example, and
services such as MailGuard use advanced
filtering techniques to prevent these emails
reaching employees.
User log-in credentials are another favourite
target of hackers. The likes of 1Password for
Business can ensure your employees use
secure passwords, along with multi-factor
authentication when signing into apps.
Identity and access management tools
such as Okta and OneLogin go further with
more sophisticated controls over access to
apps and data. These include single sign-on
to allow users to easily and securely access
multiple apps, along with device management
controls.
A SINGLE CLOUD-BASED ENTERPRISE
SOLUTION
For larger or more security-conscious
organisations, there is a bevy of advanced
Table 1: Consumer security apps with perfect AV-TEST scores
Windows
ESET Internet Security
F-Secure SAFE
Kaspersky Internet Security
Norton 360
MacOS
Avast Security
AVG AntiVirus
Avira Security
Bitdefender Antivirus
F-Secure SAFE
Norton 360
TrendMicro Antivirus
Android
Avast Mobile Security
AVG AntiVirus FREE
Bitdefender Mobile Security
G DATA Mobile Security
Norton 360
Trend Micro Mobile Security