How Can I Secure Remote and Hybrid Workers?

Small businesses must also safeguard the data and communications of their remote and hybrid workers. The most basic way to do this is to deploy a VPN to encrypt remote workers' connections from wherever they are. There are a variety of commercial VPN providers that work well for small business users. However, small businesses can just as easily roll their VPN solution to minimize costs. Additionally, small businesses should consider using a desktop as a service (DaaS) solution to give remote workers access to business desktop apps and services. Doing so removes the need for business data to leave a business-controlled environment. It also makes enforcing access rules and minimum security policies easier, which can become challenging when remote users connect with their own hardware.

How Can I Manage Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policies?

Small businesses must also develop smart bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies regarding remote workers using their own hardware. These should include minimum hardware and OS version standards to ensure employees aren't risking company data on devices with serious security flaws. They should also consider embracing a mobile device management (MDM) solution if they have more than a few devices to support. MDM solutions allow small businesses to set security policies on any enrolled end-user device. This could, for example, force-disable a smartphone's camera and microphone while the user accesses sensitive data. They can also enforce device password and encryption standards, restrict Wi-Fi network access, and even use geofencing to enable or disable business data access based on location. For businesses with too few user devices to warrant an MDM solution, endpoint security software is a must. This can at least guarantee that user-owned devices aren't infected with malware or anything else that could threaten the small business's cybersecurity.

Cloud Security Framework for SMBs: Protect Against Data Breaches

Q: How Can I Manage Credentials and Access Rights?

Next, small businesses should design their data access policies using the principle of least privilege (POLP). This dictates that users only get access to the minimum amount of data necessary to perform their specific job. Small businesses should also create a privilege review process to reassess access rights for all users at least once per year. It's also advisable for small businesses to choose a single-sign-on (SSO) provider to centralize user access credentials. SSO platforms make it easy for users and administrators by brokering access to multiple cloud services and platforms using a single set of credentials. This cuts down on the number of passwords users must remember and prevents zombie accounts that go unnoticed by administrators.

Q: How Can I Secure On-Site and Cloud VoIP Services?

Although they don't get as much attention regarding cybersecurity, small businesses should also take steps to secure any on-site or cloud-based VoIP services they use. This is because an attacker who gains access to a VoIP system could use it to harvest user credentials or otherwise support phishing and social engineering attacks. For small businesses using the popular Asterisk open-source PBX software, there are a few simple security steps to take. First and foremost, Asterisk servers should remain behind a business-class firewall with only required ports open to the internet. It's also a good idea to restrict extension access to only known internal subnets, disable unused channels, and enforce complex passwords for all extensions and accounts. For cloud-based business VoIP providers, the same logic applies. Most providers already have strict password complexity rules and may offer two-factor authentication options. Some may even integrate with an SSO platform. And most credible VoIP providers also use encryption for all connections to and from their systems, whether through an app or a desk phone.

Q: What Penetration Testing Options Are Available to My Business?

Lastly, small businesses should familiarize themselves with a few penetration testing options to test their security measures. A variety of open-source vulnerability scanners work well for this purpose. Plus, there are free and open-source options like Metasploit that small businesses can customize to suit their needs. It's a good idea for small businesses to scan all their cloud assets for vulnerabilities at least once per quarter using their penetration testing tools. They should also perform a complete penetration testing sweep every year to look for inadvertent security holes that may be present. They should also use cloud discovery technology to account for cloud services completely. This is critical because cloud infrastructure sprawl could leave small businesses vulnerable to an attack on platforms they don't even know employees use.

About half of all small businesses use cloud-based hosting and infrastructure. Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) work with cloud security frameworks since the enterprise-grade technology is affordable and easy to use. However, there are still significant risks that users must consider when utilizing these services.

SMBs with cloud platforms face a one-in-three chance of experiencing a cloud security breach that can steal data, causing financial loss, reputational harm, and significant downtime. Therefore, SMBs must stay vigilant and prepared for any attacks in network security that head their way. This article will discuss how to integrate data and network security protocols that keep your information safe from a breach.

How Can I Protect Cloud Storage?

Container Security SMBs must harden any and all cloud data storage by enabling encryption across all cloud services within a server. Use the management interface to set up automated protection if the cloud security framework does not do so by default. Review your provider’s encryption policy and settings to ensure you have the ultimate security on your system, even if it seems unnecessary.

Consider only implementing data storage providers that have encrypted connections for all data transfer functions to protect your business information during transport. Such a practice will prevent Man-in-the-Middle attacks in network security. Most commercial cloud storage providers offer this feature, and you should utilize it as an extra layer of protection. Here are a few encryption options major cloud storage providers have for users:

Dropbox encrypts at-rest, stored files with the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The software enforces SSL/TLS connections with 128-bit or higher AES encryption for all data transfer activities.
Google Drive encrypts all files transferred to or from the platform with 256-bit AES encryption. Stored data also experiences this data and network security, and Google Drive allows optional client-side encryption via the Google Workspace interface.
Microsoft OneDrive encrypts both at-rest and in-transit data with 256-bit AES encryption. The cloud security framework recommends enabling client-side encryption on any iOS or Android devices that access the platform.
Amazon S3 Storage encrypts all data automatically with the Amazon S3 managed keys (SSE-S3), which users can manage through their account console. Unfortunately, pre-existing data does not inherit these protections, so users must configure it manually. Protect in-transit data using SSL/TLS connections.

How Can I Manage Credentials and Access Rights?

SMBs must design their data access policies with the Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) in mind. The POLP ensures users have the minimum data access necessary to complete their jobs. This practice prevents internal attacks in network security from harming a company. Run a privilege review process at the end of each year to reassess access and determine how to proceed in the coming months.

Choose a Single-Sign-On (SSO) provider to centralize user access credentials and broker access to multiple cloud services and platforms. Using SSO can make it easier to navigate across various servers with fewer passwords while also preventing unauthorized users from getting past administrators.

How Can I Secure On-Site and Cloud VoIP Services?

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can benefit SMBs. Even though SMBs rarely experience VoIP attacks in network security, cybercriminals could harvest user credentials and instigate social engineering network security threats that could leave a company scrambling. Therefore, having VoIP in place is crucial.

Most VoIP providers have strict password rules and 2-Factor Authentication protocols to keep your server safe. Some even offer SSO and encryption on their platform connections, regardless of the device on which you utilize the service. Asterisk open-source PBX software users can implement business-class firewall rules that permit only required ports to open to the Internet. Also, restrict extension access to only known internal subnets, disable unused channels, and enforce complex passwords as other data and network security protocols.

How Can I Safeguard Remote and Hybrid Workers?

SMBs can safeguard your data and communications with remote or hybrid security professionals and network security toolkits. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can encrypt connections wherever a worker is to ensure no network security issues across the system. Companies should consider a Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution so remote workers have a business-controlled environment from where they can access apps and services while preventing cybersecurity vulnerabilities from flooding the server. Using DaaS makes it easier to enforce POLP access rules and cloud security policies that could be more difficult to maintain across independent hardware.

How Can I Manage Bring-Your-Own-Device Policies?

If an SMB permits remote workers to use their hardware, the company must develop Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policies to ensure no network security issues arise. Create minimum hardware and OS version standards so no cybersecurity vulnerabilities are prevalent on their software. Embrace a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to avoid managing too many devices.

MDM helps SMBs set security policies on enrolled end-user devices that can keep sensitive data secure. For example, MDM can force-disable smartphone cameras and microphones when users access such information. Companies can also create device password and encryption standards, restrict Wi-Fi network access, and enable or disable data access based on where the user is working.

Some businesses do not have enough devices to warrant an MDM solution, so endpoint security solutions can guarantee that no infections or malware threats enter your system.

What Penetration Testing Options Are Available to My Business?

SMBs should familiarize themselves with penetration testing options that can help strengthen the cloud security framework. Various open-source vulnerability scanners can help SMBs customize their servers to suit their needs. Consider Metasploit as a free, open-source option. Cloud security scanners can help businesses determine where to employ security patching before cybersecurity vulnerabilities permit a cybercriminal to instigate an attack.

Perform complete penetration testing sweeps yearly to check for new security holes that could develop over time. Use cloud discovery technology to account for all cloud services and possible locations for attacks in network security. Close down any server your employees do not use to prevent threat actors from entering those unprotected systems.

Final Thoughts on How to Improve Security Posture for SMBs

SMBs have plenty to gain from installing cloud security frameworks that can implement procedures and best practices that keep their servers safe. Avoid cloud security breaches and other attacks in network security by following the various suggestions we provided in this article. Stop facing risks today and install cloud storage, employ security policies, and patch cybersecurity vulnerabilities before it is too late.