Table of Contents
Introduction
Remote work is liberating and convenient for employees while giving business owners access to a much wider talent pool. However, with remote workers also come additional cybersecurity challenges. Even short business trips abroad can create new risks for company data. So how do you protect your business when employees work remotely?
Work devices constantly store and transmit confidential information. If security is not taken seriously, everything from project passwords to corporate strategy can be exposed. Fortunately, many tools and practices can help reduce the risks. These include simple measures such as using an eSIM card, enabling biometric authentication, and turning on tracking or wiping apps when traveling.
Here’s how to help keep your business secure and protect employee data on the road.
1. Stay Connected Safely
Staying connected while working remotely is essential. Remote workers need reliable internet access wherever they are. Using unsecured public Wi-Fi is the easiest option, but it leaves business devices open to attack.
Using an eSIM is one of the safer options. An eSIM provides a secure and convenient connection without the high cost of roaming fees. Unlike a physical SIM card, it is ready for use once you land in another country. This feature ensures remote workers can keep in touch with colleagues, clients, and family without relying on unsafe networks.
2. Protect Your Privacy with a VPN
A corporate VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the most effective ways to protect company systems and communications. It creates a secure channel between employees’ devices and the internal network, allowing safe access to company resources.
Connecting to public Wi-Fi is never recommended. However, if employees cannot avoid public Wi-Fi, they should use a VPN. It’s an essential software when using the internet in airports, hotels, or cafés.
3. Secure Your Devices
The simplest cybersecurity defense is the setting of strong passwords. This practice applies to devices, emails, and corporate accounts. It is equally important to avoid reusing passwords, as doing so creates a single point of failure for your digital security. A reliable password not reused anywhere else can often prevent unauthorized access and hacked accounts.
Adding extra layers of protection also reduces the risk of a breach. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) should also be turned on for emails, cloud storage, and other accounts. 2FA acts as an additional checkpoint after the password before access is granted.
Other important device security measures include:
- Using encryption and device tracking with remote data wipe functions.
- Installing a password manager to help maintain complex, unique logins.
- Enabling biometric authentication, such as fingerprint ID or facial recognition
4. File Sharing with Care
Sharing presentations, reports, and documents is a regular part of working life. However, it can also create security risks if done through unsecured services. Some third-party file-sharing platforms lack encryption, which means data may be exposed in transit. Phishing attempts often also come disguised as unexpected file-sharing requests.
To avoid these issues, businesses should only use providers with strong encryption and built-in security controls. Encrypted file-sharing and cloud-based collaboration tools help reduce exposure while making teamwork easier.
5. Rely on Cloud Storage
Employees carry sensitive data everywhere, and local storage is no longer the safest option. Cloud systems provide a more controlled and secure way to store and access information while working abroad.
Instead of storing everything on work devices, companies should encourage employees to use encrypted cloud storage. It reduces the impact if a device is stolen or compromised and makes managing who has access to files easier.
6. Start with a Risk Assessment
The best place to begin the cybersecurity journey is with a risk assessment. Evaluating potential risks before a trip helps employees and companies prepare for problems in advance.
This step allows businesses to:
- Identify weak spots
- Establish clear remote work policies
- Apply security measures consistently across the team.
Even a simple pre-travel checklist — ensuring devices are updated, security apps are enabled, and employees know how to connect securely — can go a long way.
7. Build Awareness Among Employees
Technology and tools are only part of the solution. Employees themselves play a major role in keeping company data safe. Phishing, suspicious links, or fake login requests often succeed because someone clicks too quickly.
Regular training helps employees:
- Recognize scams
- Understand company policies
- React quickly if something looks suspicious.
Simple rules like never reusing passwords, avoiding random attachments, and reporting unusual activity create stronger habits that protect both the individual and the business.
Final Thoughts
Remote work abroad is more common than ever, giving businesses valuable flexibility. But it also introduces risks that can’t be ignored. eSIM cards, VPNs, secure file-sharing, and strong authentication methods help companies reduce the chances of data breaches. Combine these tools with raising employee awareness about cybersecurity to protect your business, no matter where your employees work from.
know more >>> Protecting Your Virtual Workspace: The Benefits of VPNs for Virtual Assistants
