In the digital age, information is incredibly valuable. Hackers can sell everything from passwords to birth dates on the dark web. Although they target some more than others, every industry is vulnerable. The rise of remote work has given them ample opportunities for eavesdropping and data theft.
Without proper interventions, telecommuters risk experiencing eavesdropping and data theft. Even if bad actors leave them alone, their decentralized position inadvertently creates information siloes, adversely affecting their performance. A data governance framework is the only comprehensive solution that solves both problems.
Data Security and Quality Issues Facing Remote Workers
Data security is a problem all sectors face. Theft, encryption, eavesdropping or espionage plague almost all businesses, regardless of size. Data quality is more within their control, so it is less common, but many still deal with duplicates, outdated information, inaccuracies or conflicting formats.
These challenges are more prevalent among distributed workforces, where scattered employees have little to no oversight. They may use unsecured networks or compromised personal devices, creating openings for bad actors. At the very least, they expand their employer’s attack surface.
Human error remains a leading cause of breaches. Research shows an estimated 90% cyberattacks begin with phishing emails. Many are underinformed, compounding the issue. Just 38% of employees receive cybersecurity training regularly.
Whenever they store or access company datasets, they risk a breach. They may even intentionally expose sensitive data. The lack of supervision results in insider threats. Despite these risks, many employers offer the flexibility to work from home because it attracts candidates, increasing their talent pool.
Although data security challenges are not inherent to remote work, they can compound existing issues. The ISC2 COVID-19 Cybersecurity Pulse Survey found that 23% of organizations have seen cybersecurity incidents increase since allowing it. What can they do to secure their distributed workforce?
The Importance of Data Governance for Businesses
Data governance is a formal process consisting of internal policies and tools. It focuses on managing the organization’s availability, integrity and security of information. Distributed workforces need a standardized approach like this to align all workers regardless of location.
An overarching data governance framework helps businesses adhere to regulatory standards, ensure data security and prevent quality issues that could impact clients. For instance, having a single, centralized repository would reduce inconsistencies and improve operational efficiency by eliminating siloes.
Implementing such a strategy is essential because data breaches become increasingly costly with each passing year. The global average is $4.88 million per incident as of 2024. Even a fraction of this amount is too much for many small entities to afford.
People are increasingly expecting the flexibility to work from home. Leveraging data governance is easier and likely more cost-effective than eliminating telecommuting programs entirely. Moreover, it benefits the brand as a whole, not just remote team members.
Data Governance Strategies for Distributed Workforces
Organizations can take several approaches to implementing effective data governance strategies. The first is to solidify employees’ understanding of data security and quality, which involves covering cybersecurity.
Americans have a relatively solid understanding of best practices. For instance, they can explain how to choose a secure password and avoid public Wi-Fi. However, a larger percentage is unsure of more technical topics. For one, they can’t tell the difference between HTTP and HTTPS and must receive comprehensive training.
Management should also help them create a secure home office. While allowing remote staff to use their personal devices saves money, it may lead to costly data breaches later on. Providing secure computers and phones that the information technology (IT) department can remotely update as necessary is more strategically sound.
Securing distributed nodes ensures data remains safe when remote workers access or store information. Decision-makers should also consider providing virtual private networks or segmenting work devices on an isolated network to prevent lateral movement.
At the very least, IT professionals should collect, review, and maintain system account logs to monitor data access, modifications and transfers. Medium-sized businesses and large enterprises should leverage automation technology to lighten the team’s workload.
Leveraging Data Governance for a Secure Workforce
There are many ways to create a data governance strategy. Moreover, this framework is not a silver bullet – no brand is 100% safe from data security or quality issues because human error and protocol lapses exist. However, it is among the most effective solutions available for distributed workforces.
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