With many companies turning to large-scale remote workforces for the foreseeable future, employers have less oversight into how employees are using their time on a day-to-day basis. As a result, company insiders — such as employees, contractors, vendors, and suppliers — pose a greater threat to cybersecurity than in the pre-pandemic workplace.
In recent years, companies have seen a rise in security incidents caused by insiders, whether malicious or accidental. That threat may increase further in remote work environments where employers have reduced visibility over their employees’ online activity and the information they are accessing.
While remote work has many benefits for both employers and employees, it also increases the risk of cybersecurity threats from employee negligence and malicious insiders. Employees working remotely may be more easily distracted, more likely to use their computer for personal activities, and less likely to follow their employer’s information security policies, among other matters.
Insider Threats in the Remote Workplace
Some of the most notable risks that remote workers pose to a company’s information security include the following:
Malicious insiders —Threats from bad actors within a company are generally harder to detect and prevent in a remote work environment due to the company’s reduced ability to limit access and detect unusual activity. Common motivators typically include financial gain, espionage for an outside party, and grudges held by disgruntled employees. Some companies might see increased malicious activity, as employees who are asked to accept reduced hours, lower compensation, or reduced promotion opportunities may become resentful.
Failure to follow safe computing practices —Employees may be less likely to practice safe computing when working outside the office. For example, they may leave their computer in unlocked rooms or vehicles, fail to lock the screen with a pa ..
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