How Do I Secure Remote and Hybrid Workers?

Why Remote Security Is Different

Traditional model: Users in offices, on managed networks, behind firewalls. Security focused on perimeter.

Reality now: Users everywhere—home, coffee shops, airports, co-working spaces. Using various networks you don't control.

The shift: From protecting networks to protecting users, devices, and data wherever they are.

The Security Challenges

Untrusted networks: Home WiFi, public networks, mobile data. You can't trust the network.

Unobserved devices: You can't physically verify what's connected to what.

Personal/corporate blur: Personal devices accessing work data. Work devices used personally.

Expanded attack surface: Every home is now an entry point.

Reduced visibility: Harder to monitor what's happening remotely.

Core Requirements

1. Identity security

MFA everywhere: Every access point, every time. No "trusted network" exceptions.

Conditional Access:

• Block or challenge sign-ins from unusual locations
• Require device compliance
• Apply extra verification for sensitive resources
• Continuous access evaluation

Identity monitoring: Detect anomalous sign-in patterns that might indicate compromise.

2. Device management

Managed devices:

• Enroll devices in Intune or similar MDM
• Enforce security baselines
• Require encryption
• Control what can be installed
• Enable remote wipe

Compliance policies:

• Block non-compliant devices from sensitive access
• Require current patches
• Mandate endpoint protection
• Enforce screen lock and PIN

BYOD considerations:

• App-level protection (MAM) if full device management isn't possible
• Container work data on personal devices
• Prevent data leakage to personal apps

3. Secure access

Zero Trust approach: Verify every access request. Don't trust based on network.

Replace VPN where possible:

• VPNs give broad network access once connected
• Cloud applications don't need VPN
• Use identity-based access instead

When VPN is needed:

• Split tunneling (only tunnel what needs it)
• Always-on VPN for corporate devices
• MFA for VPN access

Secure web gateway:

• DNS filtering regardless of location
• Web filtering for threats and policy
• Works on any network

4. Data protection

Encryption:

• Device encryption mandatory (BitLocker, FileVault)
• Data encrypted in transit
• Cloud data encrypted at rest

DLP:

• Prevent sensitive data leaving approved channels
• Control copy/paste to unmanaged apps
• Block uploads to personal cloud storage

Information protection:

• Sensitivity labels on documents
• Access controls that follow data
• Prevent screenshots/printing of sensitive data

5. Secure collaboration

Approved tools:

• Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive
• Controlled external sharing settings
• Guest access policies

Avoid:

• Personal email for work
• Consumer file sharing tools
• Unapproved messaging apps

Quick Implementation

Immediate (Week 1):

• Enforce MFA everywhere
• Enable Conditional Access for basic scenarios
• Require device encryption

Short-term (Month 1):

• Full device enrollment and compliance
• DNS filtering deployed
• Email security hardened

Medium-term (Quarter 1):

• Comprehensive Conditional Access policies
• DLP implementation
• Regular security awareness training for remote work risks

Common Mistakes

Trusting VPN alone: VPN without MFA and device compliance is not secure.

Ignoring personal devices: If people use them for work, you need controls.

Office-only security tools: Endpoint protection must work everywhere.

No visibility: You need to know what devices access what data.

Training gaps: Remote workers need specific security training.

What We Provide

Our managed services secure distributed workforces:

• Device management via Intune with security baselines
• Conditional Access configured for Zero Trust
• DNS security that follows users
• Endpoint protection with MDR monitoring
• DLP for data protection
• Security training addressing remote work risks

Your workers can be anywhere. Your security must follow them.