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How Can A Virtual Assistant Be A Security Risk?

 

Virtual Assistant Be A Security Risk

 

Cybercrime is increasing, and businesses and individuals must implement the proper security measures to stop attackers from exploiting weaknesses in their IT systems.

When a business hires a virtual personal assistant, it can leave them wide open to security breaches.

All companies should have human resource security measures to protect against cybercriminals’ data attacks.

Having your data compromised can prove very harmful to your business, but it shouldn’t prevent you from hiring a virtual assistant.

Here are the most common security risks to consider and the steps you must take to reduce the risk of security breaches.

Typical Security Risks To Consider

1 – Use Of Public WiFi

Using public WiFi is fraught with danger as it is open to a wide range of security threats.

If your virtual assistant does not have wireless router security where they access your IT network, it will increase the chances of users coming under attack.

You should always perform background checks on virtual assistants to ensure that all their devices don’t prove a security risk to your company.

All remote employees will need access to your IT network to enable them to work, so make sure you do a risk assessment before hiring them.

Virtual assistants should always use secure private connections when working from their personal computers.

2 – Weak Passwords

Most cybercriminals gain access to your private data through people using weak passwords on their computer systems and remote devices.

A weak password is straightforward to hack and often leads to data breaches and identity fraud.

An intelligent virtual assistant will always use a strong password for their computer. However, it is up to you, the company owner, to ensure that your IT network is secure.

You don’t need to be a business development specialist to realize that using a two-factor authentication password system is fully protected.

3 – Email Phishing

Companies can become victims of email phishing if their IT system comes under attack from criminals.

A business email server should always be secure to guard against email phishing. Your corporate email often involves sensitive data and information, so the last thing you need is that information getting into the wrong hands.

Email phishing can make it look like your company has sent an email to a customer or client, but their data is stolen as soon as the recipient opens the fake email links.

Phishing poses high-security risks because data such as login and credit card details can be stolen, which means they can conduct transactions efficiently.

Always make sure that the way you and your virtual assistants access corporate email is totally secure.

4 – Recorded Conversations

Mobile phones often use an android operating system which allows voice commands to enable you to send recorded voice notes to other people.

Worryingly a hacker can use a spy app operated remotely to view all the phone’s data such as texts, emails, photos, internet history, and all phone calls you have made.

The hacker could also potentially hijack the phone’s microphone to enable it to record all conversations your virtual personal assistants are involved in.

5 – Access To Personal Data

Hackers use artificial intelligence to gain access to personal data, so the virtual assistants you hire must be fully aware of all the security measures that need to be taken to protect personal data.

A virtual private assistant can prove invaluable to your business, but owners often worry about their data becoming compromised when they hire a remote worker.

Security concerns may arise around your personally identifiable information when technical personal devices are not appropriately protected.

The Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) was introduced in Australia to protect the information of its citizens.

6 – Sharing Financial Information

Protecting your customer’s and staff’s financial information is paramount in any business.

For example, the last thing you need is your computer systems being hacked and customers’ credit card information and bank details being stolen.

The same can be said of staff bank account details being stolen or government details you hold on every member of staff or virtual personal assistant such as tax information, pension policy, and health insurance being breached.

Substantial government fines are issued to companies with the financial information of staff and customers compromised during a cyber attack.

Mitigation Steps To Reduce Risks

1 – Strong Encryption

When hiring virtual personal assistants who work remotely, it is essential to use robust encryption methods.

Encryption methods are employed so that sensitive information cannot be leaked. It is a reasonable risk management practice to encrypt all susceptible company emails.

Encryption means that the sender and recipient can view and read the transferred information within the email.

Implementing a strongly encrypted password management system allows only certain people to access controls of an actual password to the end user.

There are usually three passwords that are employed in such a management system.

2 – Use VPN Connections

Using a virtual private network (VPN) has become more common in the past five years due to increased cybercrime.

A VPN helps to stop others from seeing your IP address as it provides an encrypted server that hides the actual address.

Using a VPN prevents anybody from seeing your IP identity at all times, regardless if you are using public WiFi.

A remote worker can still access your company’s shared IT network using a VPN, but it will significantly reduce online risk to your business.

3 – Up-To-Date Anti Virus Software

Having up-to-date anti-virus software installed regularly at your business will reduce the risk of dealing with emergency response scenarios.

It is critical that your hired virtual personal assistant also installs the same up-to-date anti-virus software on any wireless device they use to access your IT network.

All staff who do remote work are more at risk if they don’t have the right antivirus software installed.

Excellent IT security should not be viewed as an unnecessary add-on cost to your business, especially when poor security can leave your company vulnerable to ransomware attacks.

4 – Use Secure Cloud Services

It doesn’t matter if you are working remotely or not, most businesses prefer to use secure cloud services to store data used within their company.

There may be an additional cost to using a cloud service. Still, many companies see this as best practice in guarding against internal and external data threats and factor it into their security expenditures budget.

Cloud services invest a significant amount of money into ensuring their service is as secure as possible when looking after data.

5 – Firewall

Business IT networks should all have a firewall that helps to encrypt traffic to ensure that your company is protected against any security issues.

A firewall acts like a bouncer, monitors network traffic, and prevents harmful viruses from getting into your IT network through the remote endpoint.

Dangerous malware and data leaks are blocked from entering your business computer network remotely by an endpoint detection and response (EDR) system.

The system prevents unwanted and dangerous emails from reaching the end user’s inbox.

The firewall system limits access and protects against anybody trying to install unwanted and harmful software on your network remotely.

6 – Only Share Necessary Information

Information is vital in any company, but you must be careful not to bombard your computer network systems and website with unnecessary information.

Sometimes company owners overload their databases and company website with information that is not relevant and could prove harmful in the wrong hands.

For example, sharing too much information about yourself and your staff could invade privacy or cause identity theft.

In an age where cybercrime is rising, taking even the slightest measure, like thinking about what information you share with others, can help protect against data leaks.

Call Us Today To Find The Ideal VA

It is understandable to have some reservations about hiring a remote worker regarding data security risks.

However, as you can see ab, implementing suitable security measures will protect your company against cyber criminals.

Hiring a VA can be tricky, especially if you don’t have experience in the process, so let us do all the hard work for you.

Give us a call today, and let us explain how we can save you money and time by handling everything from sourcing, intervening, hiring, training, and managing the perfect VA for your company.

Take your business to the next level today! ENQUIRE NOW

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