The rise of remote work has opened a literal world of opportunities for businesses in the modern day. In 2024 alone, 97% of organisations in Australia offered flexible remote work options to their employees. However, this shift does not come without cons – the biggest being cybersecurity challenges, and the ever-evolving surface area to attacks. With employees operating from diverse locations and using various devices, organisations are facing an unprecedented rise in security vulnerabilities – lending to a frontier interest in managed IT security services as a necessary buffer against malicious risks in the new age.

These processes provide the necessary tools and expertise to navigate risks effectively. Learn more about how we ensure your operations and sensitive data remain secure, with our team at The Grid below. 

 

The Evolving Risks of Remote Work

Remote work introduces vulnerabilities that traditional office setups rarely face. Employees could unknowingly engage in behaviours that could create openings for cybercriminals to exploit. 

For instance, in the CyberArk 2024 Employee Risk Survey, it was recorded that 33% of respondents used the same credentials for both personal and workplace accounts, increasing the likelihood of cyber incidents. 

Another concerning finding is that 60% of Australian employees admit to bypassing workplace cybersecurity policies for convenience, which can make organisations more vulnerable to security risks. 

Moreover, remote workers are also the prime targets of cybercriminals for attacks such as phishing scams, ransomware, and credential theft. 

Resulting data breaches from any of these acts not only damage a company’s reputation but also carry legal consequences under the Privacy Act 1988, which mandates strict reporting and protection standards. As cybersecurity risks increase, so should the protective measures of businesses seeking to protect their enterprise and their employees. 

 

How Managed IT Security Services Provide Protection

Managed IT security services are more than just a safety net. They play an important role in maintaining operational integrity, compliance, and reputation. Here are the ways they protect your business from cybersecurity threats. 

Comprehensive Endpoint Security

Endpoints are the devices employees use to access corporate systems. Managed IT services ensure these devices are secured through advanced systems including the following:

  • Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): EDR tools continuously monitor device activity. They collect real-time data and identify suspicious behaviour such as unauthorised access attempts or unusual data transfers.
  • Patch Management: Unpatched systems can allow cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access, steal sensitive data, or launch attacks. Managed providers ensure devices are updated with the latest security patches to eliminate these risks.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tools: These systems prevent sensitive data from being shared or leaked, either intentionally or accidentally, by remote employees.

Securing Remote Networks

Managed services often employ virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt communication between remote devices and corporate servers, making it nearly impossible for attackers to intercept sensitive information.

Some providers even take it a step further by implementing Zero Trust architectures. This cybersecurity model assumes that no entity, whether it’s inside or outside the organisation, should be automatically trusted. It often requires continuous verification for access to critical systems.

Advanced Threat Intelligence

Cyber threats evolve rapidly. In 2023 alone, Australia filed 76,000 cybersecurity reports, which amounts to one new report every seven minutes. To keep up with this, many managed IT security services use tools such as security information and event management (SIEM) platforms. These collect and analyze data from various sources to detect anomalies in real time.

These tools are also paired with behavioural analytics to identify unusual patterns that may signal an attempted breach, allowing for immediate action.

Employee Education and Awareness

Employees are often the first line of defense or the weakest link in cybersecurity. To ensure they’re prepared against cybersecurity attacks, IT security services can provide employee training. This can equip teams with the knowledge to identify and respond to threats such as phishing attempts or suspicious activity. This approach also reduces the likelihood of employee errors leading to a breach.

 

Securing the Future of Remote Work

As remote work becomes a permanent fixture in the modern business landscape, the need for excellent cybersecurity measures will only grow. Managed IT security services offer an effective and cost-effective way to address these challenges. 

If your business is seeking reliable cybersecurity solutions, we at The Grid are ready to help. From endpoint protection to advanced threat detection and rapid response, our solutions help businesses stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Contact us today and let’s discuss how we can help protect your business and your remote teams.