remote-work-risks
A Guide to Remote Work Risks and How to Avoid Them
What are the significant risks, and how can you defend against them? This post will explore the most significant remote work risks, tips for safeguarding your club, and more.
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8 min read

As of May 2021, more than 5 million Canadians (around 30% of the country’s workers) worked remotely. The proliferation of online productivity, project management, communication, and collaboration tools empower teams to complete most (if not all) of their tasks at home with little to no impact on their performance.

Employees working from home and flexible work arrangements may be more risky when running a membership club, for example, Golf Clubs, Sport Clubs, Social Clubs, and Yacht Clubs. While certain tasks can still be completed remotely, working from home carries many risks that clubs need to consider — including cybersecurity threats.

What are the significant risks, and how can you defend against them? This post will explore the most significant telecommuting risks, tips for safeguarding your club, and more.

What are the Risks of Remote Working?

Here are some of the crucial telecommuting risks to bear in mind:

Cyber Attacks

Cyber-attacks are the most dangerous of all remote work risks on this list. Employees working from home may be more vulnerable to a range of threats, including:

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are usually launched as emails intended to fool recipients into providing sensitive data, such as banking or sign-in details.

SQL Injection Attack

Attackers use SQL injections to manipulate web applications and damage their databases while exploiting user data.

Malware Attack

Malware attacks enable hackers to steal valuable information from targets by installing malicious software.

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks lock users out of files, programs, or devices until a ransom is paid (usually via cryptocurrency). In 2021, more than half of ransomware attacks against Canadians were aimed at critical service providers, such as hospitals, electrical grids, and gas.

Lack of Effective Collaboration

While most telecommuting risks are related to security, poor communication between team members are also important. Employees working from home should always have access to easy-to-use and secure collaboration tools.

Otherwise, they may need help to share ideas and help each other overcome challenges. That can make completing tasks more difficult and time-consuming than necessary and affect company culture.

Employees Feeling Isolated

Ensure that employees have communication tools available and enjoy the flexibility to talk with as they would in the office. They should be able to vent their frustrations, encourage each other, and chat to break up the working day.

Without this freedom to communicate, employees working from home may feel isolated and disconnected from their coworkers and the club overall.

How to Stay Safe in a Distant Work Setting

Here are some simple tips on how to stay safe while working remotely:

Install High-Quality Antivirus Software

This is the most obvious and vital remote work safety tip. No club can afford to overlook antivirus/endpoint protection software — it’s a major part of staying safe while working remotely. The best tools can help you reduce the risks from ransomware attacks, spyware and other dangerous malware.

You have plenty of options to choose from, with packages to suit every budget. Investing in a powerful antivirus for your remote workers will reduce the risk of costly cyber-attacks and the resulting disruption.

Use Cloud Software

The best cloud platforms incorporate the latest security measures to protect user accounts and data. They may require you to complete a multi-step sign-in process, for example, to help keep unauthorized users out of your network.

Implement Strict Remote Work Security Policies

One of the most important but often overlooked safety tips for remote work is to put policies in place related to security at home. For example, you might stipulate that remote employees use password managers to access tools and accounts securely or that they immediately contact specific team members about suspicious activity.

Implementing a strict remote work security policy leaves less room for error and ensures that employees know what to do and who to contact in an emergency.

Provide Training and Help Workers Stay Vigilant

One of the most effective methods is to train workers on potential security threats when discussing how to stay safe while working remotely. Employees should understand how damaging cyber-attacks can be, particularly the most severe threats, and recognize the signs of an impending breach.

The more they know about phishing emails, the less likely they are to fall prey to scams.

Tips for Staying Connected with Your Co-Workers

Staying in touch with co-workers as a remote worker may have been tough once upon a time, but now it’s as easy as you want it to be. By connecting remotely with co-workers with video conferencing software and instant messaging, you can nurture strong bonds and stay updated on their progress.

Commit to quality communication when connecting remotely with co-workers: plan virtual breaks to catch up throughout the day, even if you and a few others just need five minutes to concentrate on something other than work. Always check that meet-up times are convenient for everyone involved to avoid disrupting productivity.

Another method of staying in touch with co-workers as a remote worker is to be more visible and vocal during team meetings. If you are more of an observer but want to get involved, start by making suggestions or asking for advice on a particular task. That can help you forge stronger connections and make connecting remotely with co-workers easier.

Working from Home Doesn’t Have to be Dangerous – Here’s How!

Now that we have looked at the biggest working-from-home dangers consider what you can do to keep your team safe. The most effective option is to work with a managed IT services provider specializing in the Clubindustry.

Club Support Inc. offers all the solutions to keep your club safe and your members and workers productive wherever they’re based. We offer comprehensive cyber security services, including a full security audit and user security training, as well as other ongoing support for your club, its members, and employees. We will identify and address all types of dangers for remote workers and implement measures to mitigate the risks.

Contact Club Support Inc. today to get started.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you!
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