Remote Work, Real Risk: Cybersecurity Best Practices for Hybrid Workplaces

The way we work has changed, and so have the risks. With employees now splitting time between home and office, hybrid work offers greater flexibility. But it is also susceptible to cybersecurity threats.

From unsecured Wi-Fi networks to unmanaged personal devices, businesses are facing several vulnerabilities that traditional security models aren’t equipped to handle.

In fact, 68% of cybersecurity experts believe remote work has made their organizations more vulnerable to cyber threats. But eliminating hybrid work altogether isn’t the answer, as 35% of remote employees believe that working from home increases productivity.

The key is to adapt. You have to rethink how your business protects data, devices, and access in a distributed environment.

This blog explores the cybersecurity risks in remote and hybrid setups, along with proven best practices to help you stay secure without sacrificing flexibility.

How Remote Employees Are Targeted

Cybercriminals see remote employees as easy targets, as they are often outside the reach of standard security controls. They exploit common habits and vulnerabilities via increasingly sophisticated tactics to breach systems, steal data, and gain unauthorized access.

Here are the most common methods they use:

Man-in-the-Middle attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks occur when cybercriminals place themselves between two parties, such as a user and an app or website. This allows them to steal identities, commit financial fraud, make unauthorized purchases, and more.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks cause 36% of data breaches. These scams often begin with fake emails or messages that trick employees into sharing their login details. They can be especially deceptive because they usually appear to come from trusted colleagues or partners.

Social engineering

Attackers manipulate employees with psychological influence into revealing confidential information or granting access.

Ransomware and malware

In Q1 2025, 2,289 ransomware attacks were reported. These attacks use malicious software to encrypt files and demand a ransom for their release. Remote devices, with weaker security, are often more vulnerable to such threats.

Breaking Down Remote Work Risks

As hybrid work becomes the norm, the boundaries of corporate security are harder to define. Traditional defenses, built around centralized offices and company-managed devices, seem to be insufficient. They no longer cover the full scope of how, where, and with what tools employees work.

Therefore, it is essential to understand the unique vulnerabilities associated with remote environments and follow cybersecurity best practices. You need to strike the right balance between keeping data safe and letting employees work remotely.

Below are the biggest challenges your business needs to assess and how to proactively reduce the risk:

Unsecured networks

60% of remote workers use unsecured home Wi-Fi, exposing sensitive data to cyber threats.  Unlike secured corporate networks, these networks are often poorly protected. This makes it easier for hackers to intercept data. It leads to potential cyber threats and breaches.

Solution:

• Ask employees to use VPNs to secure their connections
• Consider Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architectures that combine networking and security in the cloud
• Educate your team about securing home Wi-Fi with strong passwords

Weak passwords and MFA gaps

53% of employees use the same password across different devices. When employees skip multi-factor authentication (MFA) or use weak, repeated passwords, it makes it simple for cyber attackers to target data.

Solution:

• Use MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) for remote access. This includes access to VPNs, email, and cloud services
• Prefer time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) and app-based MFA. They are more secure and can’t be hacked easily through SIM swapping
• Implement password managers to encourage strong, unique credentials
  

Unmanaged devices

Personal laptops, smartphones, or tablets used for work often lack proper security controls. Without management tools, IT teams cannot keep the devices protected.

Solution:

• Use sanctioned devices to ensure that the devices meet security requirements, have controlled access, and pass compliance checks
• Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to monitor threats on time and address them accurately

Data privacy and compliance risks

Source

Working remotely affects compliance with laws like GDPR or industry-specific regulations. Data stored or accessed from insecure devices may lead to violations or legal consequences.

Also, cloud tools are great for remote work, but misconfigured settings are a top cause of breaches. When access isn’t controlled, anyone can get in.

Solution:

• Use Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) and Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) for visibility over cloud apps
• Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest to prevent leaks

Insider threats

Without supervision, employees may accidentally or intentionally mishandle data. This can cause serious damage to the company's data.

Solution:

• Assume no device or user is trusted by default, even inside your network
• Implement strict access controls and segment your network

Source

Shadow IT

Shadow IT is when someone uses the hardware or software without the IT team knowing about it. When this happens, your IT team loses control over data security, increasing the risk of data leaks and non-compliance.

Solution:

• Implement real-time monitoring tools to track suspicious logins, unusual user activity, and other threats
• Set up a clear and tested incident response plan. It should guide your team on how to fix any security breach quickly and effectively

Theft of devices

Remote work means laptops and phones are often outside the office. If a device gets stolen and isn’t encrypted, your data is at risk.

Solution:

• Encrypt data on all devices, communications, and storage
• Implement full-disk encryption as it protects data if a device is lost or stolen

Data leakage

Data can leak when employees use unsecured networks. It may not be intentional, but it’s risky as it exposes confidential information beyond the work setting.

Solution:

• Encrypt all communications and storage
• Train employees about secure data handling practices
• Provide secure collaboration tools

VPN misconfigurations

A VPN protects your remote connections, but only if set up correctly. Poor configurations or unapproved VPN services create weak points that hackers can exploit.

A VPN keeps your data safe by encrypting it. But split tunneling is enabled in a lot of work settings. As a result, only some of the internet traffic goes through the VPN, while the rest doesn't. Hackers could use the unprotected traffic to attack the system.

Solution:

• Make sure employees use a trusted, high-quality VPN with strong encryption, like OpenVPN or IKEv2
• Turn off split tunneling whenever possible. If it must be used, allow it only for non-sensitive tasks, and monitor it closely

Exploiting collaboration tools

Hackers target platforms like Zoom, Slack, and Teams. If these platforms are poorly set up, outsiders can access meetings or steal data.

Solution:

• Control who has access to what and why
• Regularly review user permissions to make sure only current employees can access sensitive data
• Automatically revoke access when someone leaves

Cybersecurity Policies and Tools That Enhance Security

To stay secure in a remote work setting, you need to do more than just follow best practices. Strong policies and the right tools work together to reduce risks and protect sensitive data. It's important to control how information is accessed, shared, and stored.

Here are the policies you should implement:

BYOK policies

Create and manage your own encryption keys rather than using those provided by cloud service providers. This is particularly important for protecting highly sensitive data and maintaining control, ensuring confidentiality, and meeting compliance requirements.

Company-approved tools only

Avoid security gaps caused by unverified productivity apps. Provide employees with approved collaboration, communication, and storage platforms that meet your security requirements. Also, keep on updating them to avoid security breaches.

Use of firewalls

Firewalls include app awareness, intrusion prevention, and threat protection. This enforces consistent security policies and reduces unauthorized access across remote work environments.

The Employer’s Role in Security

Cybersecurity is a team effort, but leadership sets the tone. Here’s what you must do:

• Set clear security policies that define expectations and rules for remote work

• Invest in infrastructure and tools that protect your digital assets without hindering productivity

• 30% of IT security professionals believe that phishing attacks, among other cyber threats, often succeed due to inadequate employee training. So, provide regular training so employees stay alert to evolving threats

• Monitor for risks but respect privacy to maintain trust

• Promote a security-first culture where everyone understands their role in keeping data safe

Key Takeaways

• Hybrid work increases risks like data breaches and insider threats, with remote workers often targeted due to weak home security. Common issues include poor passwords, unmanaged devices, VPN flaws, and shadow IT.

• Structured best practices like using VPNs, MFA, endpoint protection, and encryption can significantly reduce risks.

• Always secure cloud and collaboration tools through access controls, CASBs, and regular permission audits.

• Strong leadership is essential for driving cybersecurity. It's crucial to set clear policies, offer continuous training, and encourage a security-first culture.

• Using company-approved tools and firewalls, along with BYOK policies, helps maintain control over sensitive data.

• Proactive cybersecurity is essential for maintaining trust, productivity, and regulatory alignment in hybrid environments.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it’s a business imperative. The more proactive you are today, the fewer incidents you’ll have to react to tomorrow.

By adopting business cybersecurity best practices, the right tools and ongoing vigilance, you’ll build a resilient security foundation that supports both productivity and protection.

Heroic Tech helps protect your business from cybersecurity threats. Explore the solutions today and create a secure, efficient hybrid workplace.