Top 10 Remote Work Security Best Practices for Your Business in 2025

The shift to remote and hybrid work has transformed how your small or medium-sized business operates, offering incredible flexibility. However, this change has dissolved the traditional office security perimeter, creating new, complex challenges. When your team accesses sensitive company data from home networks, public Wi-Fi, and personal devices, the opportunity for a cyberattack expands dramatically. For business owners in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, who often juggle limited IT staff and tight budgets, securing this new landscape can feel overwhelming. The old security model, built around a central office, simply isn't enough to protect your critical assets anymore.

This guide is designed to cut through the complexity and provide a clear path forward. We'll walk through 10 essential, actionable remote work security best practices your business can implement to build a resilient and secure remote work environment. These aren't just generic tips; they are practical steps needed to protect your operations from disruptive threats like ransomware, business email compromise, and costly data breaches. While this article provides a foundational checklist, you can also explore other essential remote work security best practices to further harden your defenses. Our goal is to give you a prioritized, practical roadmap to secure your distributed workforce effectively and confidently.

1. Mandate Virtual Private Network (VPN) Use

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a foundational tool in any remote work security strategy. It establishes a secure, encrypted connection—think of it as a private tunnel—between a remote worker's device and the company network over the public internet. This process scrambles all data sent through it, making it unreadable to anyone who might try to intercept it, like a cybercriminal lurking on an unsecured public Wi-Fi network at a local coffee shop or airport.

Essentially, a VPN extends your private company network to your remote employees, wherever they are, ensuring business data remains confidential. It's a critical first line of defense that transforms a potentially risky connection into a secure corporate access point.

Why VPNs are Essential for Your SMB

For a small or midsize business, requiring VPN usage is a non-negotiable part of modern remote work security best practices. It protects sensitive information like client lists, financial records, and proprietary plans from being exposed. Imagine one of your employees is finishing a critical client proposal at a hotel. Without a VPN, their connection could be monitored, potentially leading to a data breach that could cripple your business financially and damage the trust you've built with customers.

Actionable VPN Implementation Tips

To get the most out of a VPN, you need to move beyond basic consumer-grade options. Here are key steps for proper implementation:

• Deploy a Business-Grade Solution: Use a corporate VPN like Cisco AnyConnect or a managed solution from a provider like Eagle Point Technology Solutions. These offer centralized management, stronger security, and dedicated support that consumer VPNs lack.
• Enable a Kill Switch: This critical feature automatically disconnects the device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents data from accidentally being sent over an unsecured connection.
• Set an "Always-On" Policy: Configure the VPN to connect automatically whenever an employee is online. This removes the risk of human error where an employee forgets to turn it on before handling sensitive data.
• Provide Clear Training: Make sure your team understands why the VPN is necessary and how to use it properly. A quick training session can reinforce the importance of this security layer and reduce the chance of someone bypassing it.

2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a powerful security layer that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to an application or account. Instead of just a username and password, MFA demands an additional piece of evidence, such as a one-time code from an app on their phone, a fingerprint scan, or a physical security key. This simple step drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a cybercriminal manages to steal an employee's password.

By creating this layered defense, MFA makes it exponentially more difficult for attackers to compromise accounts. It's one of the most effective and affordable ways to secure remote access and protect your company’s data from common attacks like phishing.

Why MFA is a Must-Have for Your SMB

For small and midsize businesses, compromised passwords are a leading cause of devastating data breaches. Implementing MFA is a cornerstone of any effective remote work security best practices plan because it directly neutralizes this threat. Research from Google has shown that MFA can block up to 99.9% of automated attacks. For an SMB in Western Pennsylvania, a single compromised email account could lead to wire fraud or a ransomware attack. MFA is a low-cost, high-impact defense against these exact scenarios.

Actionable MFA Implementation Tips

Successfully rolling out MFA involves more than just flipping a switch. A thoughtful approach ensures your team adopts it without friction.

• Prioritize Critical Systems: Start by enabling MFA on your most important accounts. This includes email (especially Microsoft 365), VPN access, cloud storage platforms, and any financial software.
• Use Authenticator Apps: While text message codes are better than nothing, they are vulnerable to "SIM-swapping" attacks. Encourage employees to use more secure authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Duo.
• Provide Backup Codes: Ensure every user has a set of backup codes stored in a secure, offline location (like a locked desk drawer). This prevents them from being locked out if they lose or replace their phone.
• Monitor and Enforce: Use your administrative tools to track who has enabled MFA. A managed service provider like Eagle Point Technology Solutions can help you enforce policies that require MFA for all users, leaving no weak links for attackers.

3. Enforce Strong Password Policies and Management

Weak, reused, or stolen passwords are one of the most common ways cybercriminals get in. A strong password policy, combined with a password manager, moves your company's security from relying on employee memory to an enforceable, automated system. This approach sets clear standards for creating complex passwords and provides a tool that securely generates, stores, and fills them in for your team.

This shifts the security burden from your employees to a reliable system, creating a consistent standard across the entire organization. By removing human error and bad habits from the equation, you close a significant and often overlooked security gap.

Why Password Management is Essential for Your SMB

For a small or midsize business, a single compromised password can be devastating. An employee reusing a password from a personal account that was leaked in a data breach could give an attacker direct access to your company’s financial software or client database. Implementing a formal policy and providing a password manager are crucial steps to prevent this common scenario and is a key part of remote work security best practices.

Actionable Password Policy Implementation Tips

Modern password security focuses on length and uniqueness over remembering complex, random characters. Here’s how to build an effective strategy:

• Deploy a Business Password Manager: Use a corporate-grade password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden. These tools offer central administration, secure sharing for teams, and "zero-knowledge" encryption, meaning even the provider can't see your passwords.
• Focus on Length: Instead of forcing complex rules like "P@ssw0rd1!", encourage long but memorable passphrases (e.g., "Correct-Horse-Battery-Staple"). The latest guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) confirm that length is more important than complexity.
• Mandate Unique Passwords: A password manager makes this easy. It can generate a unique, strong password for every single account, eliminating the risk of one breach compromising another.
• Use Breach Monitoring: Most business password managers can automatically check employee credentials against known data breaches and flag reused or compromised passwords so they can be changed immediately.

4. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

While traditional antivirus software blocks known threats, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions provide a much more advanced, proactive layer of security. EDR platforms continuously monitor devices like laptops and phones to detect, investigate, and respond to sophisticated threats in real time. Think of it as a security camera system with an active guard for each computer.

With employees working outside the office network, their devices become the new perimeter. EDR acts as a vigilant security guard on each of these endpoints, looking for suspicious behaviors that old-school antivirus would miss. It’s an essential part of a modern defense for any business with a remote workforce.

Why EDR is a Game-Changer for Your SMB

For small businesses, a single infected laptop can be catastrophic. EDR is one of the most important remote work security best practices because it gives you visibility into threats that bypass traditional defenses. Imagine a remote employee unknowingly clicks a malicious link, and a silent malware variant begins operating in the background. A standard antivirus might not see it, but an EDR tool will detect the abnormal behavior and can automatically isolate the device to stop the threat from spreading.

Actionable EDR Implementation Tips

Deploying an EDR solution is more than just installing software. Here are the key steps to make it effective:

• Ensure Full Coverage: Deploy the EDR agent on every single company device—laptops, desktops, and servers. Every endpoint is a potential entry point for an attacker.
• Establish a Baseline: Work with your IT provider to configure the EDR solution to learn what "normal" activity looks like for your business. This helps the system more accurately identify and alert on unusual, potentially malicious behavior.
• Automate Responses: Connect your EDR platform to automate responses. For example, it can be configured to automatically isolate a compromised device from the network, containing a threat in seconds before it escalates.
• Leverage Expert Management: EDR solutions generate a lot of data. Partnering with a provider like Eagle Point Technology Solutions for endpoint security management ensures that alerts are properly investigated and the system is continuously tuned to protect your business without creating a flood of false alarms.

5. Standardize Device Hardening and Patching

Device hardening is the process of configuring a computer's operating system and software with security-first settings to reduce potential weak spots. When combined with a consistent patch management schedule, it ensures that all company devices are fortified against known exploits before they ever connect to your network. This proactive approach locks down systems from the start.

This foundational practice transforms every laptop from a potential liability into a controlled, secure asset. For remote work, where devices connect from untrusted home networks, hardening and patching are not just best practices—they are essential security controls that protect your entire business.

Why Hardening and Patching are Crucial for Your SMB

For small and midsize businesses, a single unpatched vulnerability on a remote employee's laptop can be the open door for a devastating ransomware attack. Implementing remote work security best practices like device hardening and proactive patching systematically closes these doors. Tools like Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) can ensure that critical security updates are applied promptly across all devices, no matter where they are located.

Actionable Hardening and Patching Implementation Tips

Effectively securing endpoints requires an automated, strategic approach that goes beyond manual updates.

• Establish a Security Baseline: Use established frameworks like the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Benchmarks as a guide. These provide clear, prescriptive guidance for hardening Windows and macOS systems by turning off unnecessary features and locking down settings.
• Automate Patch Management: Deploy a solution to automate the deployment of security patches for operating systems and third-party software (like Adobe and Chrome). This ensures critical updates aren't missed. You can learn more about creating an effective patch management strategy.
• Enforce Full-Disk Encryption: Mandate the use of BitLocker (for Windows) or FileVault (for macOS) on all company devices. This protects sensitive data if a laptop is lost or stolen.
• Control Application Installations: Use policies to prevent employees from installing unauthorized software. This reduces the risk of malware being introduced and minimizes the number of applications that need constant patching.

6. Conduct Regular Security Awareness Training

Your employees are your first line of defense. Technology alone can't stop all attacks, especially those that rely on human error. Regular security awareness training transforms your team from a potential vulnerability into a vigilant security asset, creating a strong, security-conscious culture that protects your business from the inside out.

This ongoing education teaches your remote team how to spot, avoid, and report modern cyber threats like phishing emails, fraudulent requests, and social engineering. A well-informed employee is far less likely to click a malicious link or fall for a scam, effectively neutralizing a huge number of cyberattacks before they can cause damage.

Why Security Awareness is a High-ROI Investment for SMBs

For an SMB, a single employee mistake can have devastating consequences. The annual Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report consistently shows that the "human element" is a factor in the vast majority of breaches. A formal training program is one of the most cost-effective remote work security best practices you can adopt, with some studies showing it can reduce security-related risks by up to 70%.

Consider an employee in your finance department receiving a cleverly disguised email that appears to be from a trusted vendor asking for a payment change. Without training, they might process the request. With training, they recognize the red flags, verify the request through a different channel, and protect the company from financial loss.

Actionable Training Implementation Tips

Effective security awareness is about more than an annual video. It requires a continuous, engaging program.

• Run Phishing Simulations: Regularly send simulated phishing emails to test employee awareness. Use these as teaching moments, not punishments, to help staff recognize real-world threats in a safe environment.
• Make Training Engaging and Relevant: Ditch boring lectures for short, interactive videos or modules. To make training stick, it's important to follow employee engagement best practices for corporate training. Customize content for different roles—your sales team faces different threats than your operations team.
• Establish a Simple Reporting Process: Employees must know exactly what to do and who to contact when they spot something suspicious. A simple "report phish" button in their email client encourages prompt reporting.
• Reinforce and Reward: Track metrics like training completion and phishing click rates to identify where more help is needed. More importantly, recognize and reward employees who spot and report real threats to reinforce good security habits.

7. Securely Configure Cloud and Collaboration Tools

Remote work runs on cloud platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack. While these tools are essential for productivity, their default settings are often designed for ease of use, not maximum security. Properly configuring these services is a critical step to prevent data leaks, unauthorized access, and compliance issues when your team is distributed.

This process involves deliberately reviewing and adjusting security settings within each platform you use. It transforms these powerful collaboration hubs from potential weak spots into fortified, compliant environments. By managing access controls, sharing permissions, and data handling rules, you ensure that sensitive information stays protected.

Why Secure Configuration is Essential for SMBs

For SMBs, misconfigured cloud services are a significant, often overlooked, threat. A single employee accidentally sharing a folder of client financial data with a public link can lead to a devastating breach. Proactive remote work security best practices demand that you take control of these settings. For example, by default, some platforms allow users to share files with anyone on the internet. A proactive configuration strategy prevents these risks, protecting your company’s reputation and bottom line.

Actionable Cloud Configuration Tips

Implementing robust security requires moving beyond the default setup. Here are key steps to secure your cloud tools:

• Enforce Strict Access Controls: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all cloud accounts without exception. For platforms like Microsoft 365, you can also implement conditional access policies that restrict logins based on user location or device health.
• Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Set up DLP rules to automatically identify, monitor, and block the accidental sharing of sensitive information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or internal financial data.
• Limit External Sharing: Restrict file and folder sharing to specific, trusted external domains. Disable anonymous or "anyone with the link" sharing by default and regularly review any existing public links.
• Apply the Principle of Least Privilege: Don't make everyone an administrator. Use granular roles to give employees access only to the functions and data they absolutely need for their jobs.

8. Adopt a Zero Trust Mindset

Traditional security was like a castle with a moat—once you were inside the network, you were trusted. In a remote work world, this model fails because the "inside" of the network is everywhere. A Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) flips this idea on its head by assuming no user or device is trustworthy by default, requiring strict verification for every access request, no matter where it comes from.

This "never trust, always verify" model is a cornerstone of modern remote work security best practices. It combines strong identity controls with network segmentation (dividing a network into smaller, isolated zones) to limit an attacker's ability to move around if they do get in. For a remote worker, this means their identity and device health are continuously checked before they can access company resources.

Why a Zero Trust Approach Matters for SMBs

For an SMB, a single compromised remote employee's password can be catastrophic, allowing an intruder to move freely across the entire network and access everything. Zero Trust contains this threat. If an employee's laptop is compromised at home, Zero Trust principles can prevent the attacker from reaching your main financial server or client database, dramatically reducing the potential damage. This granular control is vital for protecting your business in a distributed workforce.

Actionable Zero Trust Implementation Tips

Adopting a full Zero Trust model is a journey, not an overnight switch. Here are practical first steps for SMBs:

• Start Small: Begin by identifying your most critical data or applications (your "crown jewels"). Apply Zero Trust principles here first as a pilot project.
• Make Identity the Perimeter: Implement strong identity management with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as the foundation for all access decisions.
• Implement Microsegmentation: Use modern tools to create small, secure zones around specific applications. This ensures that users only have access to the exact resources they need for their jobs.
• Use Conditional Access Policies: Create rules that grant or deny access based on real-time signals, such as the user's location, the security status of their device, and the sensitivity of the data they are requesting.
• Log Everything: Log every access attempt and monitor those logs for suspicious activity. Continuous monitoring is key to detecting and responding to threats in a Zero Trust environment.

9. Implement Secure Remote Access Controls

Beyond simply connecting, controlling how your team accesses your network is a critical security layer. Secure remote access management provides granular control over user connections, ensuring that only authorized individuals can connect, their activities are monitored, and permissions are strictly enforced. This often involves using tools like a bastion host or a privileged access management (PAM) solution.

This approach creates a controlled, auditable gateway for all remote access. Instead of connecting directly to sensitive servers, users must pass through a monitored checkpoint. This strategy drastically reduces the attack surface and provides a detailed record of all remote activity, which is essential for compliance and investigating security incidents.

Why This is Important for Your SMB

For a small or midsize business, this is a core part of a defense-in-depth strategy and a key element of remote work security best practices. It prevents an attacker from moving freely within your network. Imagine a remote developer's laptop is compromised. Without a secure access gateway, the attacker could potentially use those credentials to access every server that developer had permissions for. With a bastion host and session monitoring, the unauthorized access is logged, can be shut down quickly, and the scope of the breach is contained.

Actionable Access Control Implementation Tips

SMBs can implement robust access controls without the complexity often associated with large enterprise systems.

• Use a Bastion Host or Jump Box: Designate a single, hardened server as the only entry point for administrative access to your network. This centralizes monitoring and restricts direct access to critical systems.
• Enforce MFA at the Gateway: Every user connecting through your remote access gateway must complete a multi-factor authentication challenge. This ensures that even if a password is stolen, the account remains secure.
• Log and Monitor Sessions: Use modern tools to log commands and activities during a remote session. These logs are invaluable for auditing and understanding what happened during a security incident.
• Set Strict Session Timeouts: Automatically disconnect idle remote sessions after a short period, such as 15-30 minutes. This minimizes the risk of an unattended, open session being hijacked.

10. Classify, Encrypt, and Protect Your Data

Not all data is created equal. A comprehensive security strategy involves understanding what data you have, classifying its sensitivity, and applying protections accordingly. This three-pronged approach of classification, encryption, and loss prevention ensures that your most critical assets receive the highest level of protection, whether they are on a server or a remote employee's laptop.

This framework is a cornerstone of modern remote work security best practices. Classification labels data (e.g., Public, Internal, Confidential), encryption makes it unreadable to unauthorized users, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools actively block it from leaving your network without permission.

Why This Trio is Essential for SMBs

For an SMB, the accidental leak of sensitive information can be just as damaging as a malicious attack. An employee might unknowingly email a spreadsheet with client financial details to the wrong person or save a confidential document to a personal Dropbox account. A robust data protection strategy prevents these common but costly mistakes.

By classifying and encrypting data using tools built into platforms like Microsoft 365, you ensure that even if a file gets out, it remains a useless, scrambled block of text to anyone without proper authorization. This protects your intellectual property, customer data, and financial records.

Actionable Implementation Tips

Implementing a data protection framework is a strategic, multi-layered process.

• Create a Simple Classification Policy: Start by defining 3-4 sensitivity levels, such as Public, Internal, Confidential, and Restricted. Provide clear examples for each so your team can easily apply the correct labels.
• Automate Where Possible: Use tools within Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace to automatically scan for and apply sensitivity labels to documents containing patterns like credit card or Social Security numbers.
• Encrypt Everything: Encrypt data on servers and employee devices using tools like BitLocker. Ensure all data is encrypted when it travels across networks by using VPNs and secure websites (HTTPS).
• Implement DLP Rules: Configure simple DLP policies to monitor and block the unauthorized transfer of sensitive data via email or to USB drives. For a deeper look into this strategy, you can learn more about how to prevent data loss.
• Train Your Team: Your employees are the front line of data handling. Conduct regular training on your classification policy, the importance of encryption, and how your DLP rules work to minimize accidental breaches.

10-Point Remote Work Security Comparison

Solution	Implementation complexity	Resource requirements	Expected outcomes	Ideal use cases	Key advantages
Virtual Private Network (VPN) Usage	Low–Medium (server + client configuration)	VPN gateways/clients, bandwidth, admin time	Encrypted tunnels; secure remote access to internal networks	Remote workers on public Wi‑Fi; access to internal resources	Encrypts traffic, masks IPs, relatively simple to deploy
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)	Low–Medium (integration + user rollout)	Authenticator apps/tokens, identity provider, user support	Stronger identity assurance; dramatically fewer account compromises	Protecting accounts, privileged access, cloud logins	Blocks credential theft, supports compliance
Strong Password Policies and Management	Low (policy + password manager rollout)	Password manager licenses, policy enforcement, user training	Improved credential hygiene; fewer brute‑force and reuse incidents	Organization‑wide account security, BYOD environments	Enforces long passphrases, prevents reuse, reduces reset burden
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions	High (deployment, tuning, SOC operations)	EDR agents, storage, skilled security staff, SIEM integration	Real‑time detection and automated response; faster remediation	Protecting remote endpoints, advanced threat detection	Detects advanced threats, enables rapid investigation and response
Secure Device Configuration, Hardening, and Patching	Medium (initial hardening + ongoing maintenance)	MDM/patch tools, automation scripts, testing environments	Reduced attack surface; fewer exploitable vulnerabilities	Standardizing device security for remote workers, compliance	Prevents known exploits, enforces consistent security baseline
Regular Security Training and Awareness	Low–Medium (ongoing program management)	Training platform, phishing simulations, content budget	Reduced human‑error incidents; increased reporting and vigilance	Organization‑wide culture change, phishing risk reduction	Cost‑effective risk reduction; improves security behaviors
Secure Cloud and Collaboration Tools Configuration	Medium–High (policy design + integrations)	Admin expertise, DLP/CASB, logging, identity integration	Controlled sharing and access; reduced cloud misconfiguration risk	SaaS collaboration platforms, cloud‑first organizations	Scales easily, offers built‑in compliance and DLP controls
Network Segmentation and Zero Trust Architecture	High (architectural redesign and policy)	Identity systems, microsegmentation tools, skilled teams	Limited lateral movement; continuous verification of access	High‑risk environments, large distributed/hybrid workforces	Minimizes breach impact, enforces least‑privilege access
Secure Remote Access Control and Session Management	Medium (gateway/bastion + logging)	Bastion hosts/gateways, session recording storage, auth systems	Centralized access control and comprehensive audit trails	Privileged access, administrative remote sessions, forensics	Single control point, auditable sessions, easier incident response
Data Classification, Encryption, and Loss Prevention	Medium–High (policy + technical controls)	DLP, encryption tools, key management, classification tools	Protected sensitive data; improved compliance and auditability	Regulated data handling, sharing of sensitive information	Prevents data leakage, enforces handling rules and compliance

Your Next Step: From Plan to Protection

Navigating the complexities of modern cybersecurity can feel overwhelming. This guide has provided a checklist of ten critical remote work security best practices tailored for the real-world challenges faced by small and midsize businesses. We’ve covered everything from foundational tools like MFA and VPNs to more advanced strategies like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and adopting a Zero Trust mindset.

However, a checklist is only the beginning. True security comes not from knowing what to do, but from the consistent, disciplined execution of these strategies. It's about making sure every device is patched, every employee is trained, and every security alert is investigated properly. For SMB leaders in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, balancing these critical security tasks with daily operations and strategic growth is a significant challenge. This is where the gap between knowing and doing often leaves businesses vulnerable.

Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action

The core takeaway is that effective remote work security isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing program where technology, policy, and people work together.

• Technology: Implementing tools like EDR or securing your cloud setup requires expertise. They must be configured correctly to protect your business without disrupting how your team works.
• Policy and Culture: A strong password policy is only effective if it's understood and followed. This requires ongoing training to build a company-wide, security-first mindset.
• Proactive Management: Cybersecurity is not "set it and forget it." It demands constant vigilance—monitoring for threats, managing patches, and adapting to new attack methods.

For many business owners, handling all of this is not feasible with a small internal IT team or limited budget. The risk is that essential practices are only partially implemented, creating a false sense of security. The goal is to achieve cyber resilience, where your business can not only defend against attacks but can also thrive in an evolving digital world. This resilience protects your data, your reputation, and your bottom line, turning security from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

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Don't let the complexity of implementation hold you back from securing your business. As a dedicated partner to SMBs, Eagle Point Technology Solutions translates these exact remote work security best practices into a fully managed, operational reality. Schedule a complimentary security consultation with our experts today to build a resilient and secure foundation for your modern workforce.