--- title: COVID-19’s Effects on Data Security description: Has COVID-19 forced your company to work remotely? Get informed on everything to ensure you and your company are protected during these uncertain times. image: https://blog.alexant.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5edbe17bc49925bfabedc5ae_Covid%2019%20Effects%20on%20data%20security-1.jpg --- [![alexant logo-1](https://blog.alexant.com/hs-fs/hubfs/alexant%20logo-1.png?width=150&height=88&name=alexant%20logo-1.png "alexant logo-1")](http://Alexant%20Systems%20Corporation) - Industries - [Law Firms](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services) - [Law Firm Consulting](https://alexant.com/law-firm-consulting) - [Systems Design & Deployment](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/systems) - [Managed Services](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/managed-service) - [Managed Cloud](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/managed-cloud) - [Managed VOIP](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/voip) - [Insurance Agencies](https://alexant.com/insurance-services) - [Insurance Consulting](https://alexant.com/insurance-consulting) - [Systems Design & Deployment](https://alexant.com/insurance-services/systems) - 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[Arlington](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-it-arlington) - [Company](https://alexant.com/team) - [James Wyatt](https://alexant.com/team/james-wyatt) - [Sue Good](https://alexant.com/team/sue-good) - [Moses Hull](https://alexant.com/team/moses-gull) - [Resources](https://alexant.com/downloads) - [Blog](https://blog.alexant.com) - [MSP Buyer’s Guide](https://alexant.com/msp-buyers-guide) - [Contact Us](https://alexant.com/contact-us) - [Connect with Sue Good](https://alexant.com/team/sue-good) - [Call Us Now - (877) 455-8030](tel:+18774558030) - Request Pricing - [Book a Meeting](https://meetings.hubspot.com/james-wyatt/meet-with-jim-wyatt?__hstc=224165700.cea74860b92adc5b8c4f987660b52943.1737563305151.1747770706134.1747774537454.43&__hssc=224165700.14.1747774537454&__hsfp=633805727) [✕](https://blog.alexant.com/post/covid-19s-effects-on-data-security-how-to-make-sure-youre-protected-while-working-remote#atbs-offcanvas-primary) #### About Alexant Since 1993, Alexant has been at the forefront of providing technology solutions that empower independent insurance agencies, emerging businesses, and law firms. #### Contact Us Call Us - 1-877-Alexant ------- 5568 General Washington Drive Suite A218 Alexandria, VA 22312, USA search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [✕](https://blog.alexant.com/post/covid-19s-effects-on-data-security-how-to-make-sure-youre-protected-while-working-remote#atbs-offcanvas-mobile) [![alexant logo-1](https://blog.alexant.com/hs-fs/hubfs/alexant%20logo-1.png?width=200&height=88&name=alexant%20logo-1.png "alexant logo-1")](http://Alexant%20Systems%20Corporation) - Industries - [Law Firms](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services) - [Law Firm Consulting](https://alexant.com/law-firm-consulting) - [Systems Design & Deployment](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/systems) - [Managed Services](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/managed-service) - [Managed Cloud](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/managed-cloud) - [Managed VOIP](https://alexant.com/lawfirm-services/voip) - [Insurance Agencies](https://alexant.com/insurance-services) - [Insurance Consulting](https://alexant.com/insurance-consulting) - [Systems Design & Deployment](https://alexant.com/insurance-services/systems) - [Managed Services](https://alexant.com/insurance-services/managed-service) - [Managed Cloud](https://alexant.com/insurance-services/managed-cloud) - [Managed VOIP](https://alexant.com/insurance-services/voip) - [Emerging Business](https://alexant.com/smb-services) - [Business Consulting](https://alexant.com/startup-business-consulting) - [Systems Design & Deployment](https://alexant.com/smb-services/systems) - [Managed Services](https://alexant.com/smb-services/managed-services) - [Managed Cloud](https://alexant.com/smb-services/managed-cloud) - [Managed VOIP](https://alexant.com/smb-services/voip) - [Security](https://alexant.com/security) - Locations - [Alexandria](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-it-services-alexandria) - [Arlington](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-it-arlington) - [Company](https://alexant.com/team) - [James Wyatt](https://alexant.com/team/james-wyatt) - [Sue Good](https://alexant.com/team/sue-good) - [Moses Hull](https://alexant.com/team/moses-gull) - [Resources](https://alexant.com/downloads) - [Blog](https://blog.alexant.com) - [MSP Buyer’s Guide](https://alexant.com/msp-buyers-guide) - [Contact Us](https://alexant.com/contact-us) - [Connect with Sue Good](https://alexant.com/team/sue-good) - [Call Us Now - (877) 455-8030](tel:+18774558030) - Request Pricing - [Book a Meeting](https://meetings.hubspot.com/james-wyatt/meet-with-jim-wyatt?__hstc=224165700.cea74860b92adc5b8c4f987660b52943.1737563305151.1747770706134.1747774537454.43&__hssc=224165700.14.1747774537454&__hsfp=633805727) #### EXPLORE MORE [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) [Technology News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/technology-news) [Security News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/security-news) [Industry News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/industry-news) # COVID-19’s Effects on Data Security [Admin](https://blog.alexant.com/author/admin) 19 Oct 2020 [0 Comments](https://blog.alexant.com/post/covid-19s-effects-on-data-security-how-to-make-sure-youre-protected-while-working-remote#comments) - - - ## Threats to Expect When Shifting to a Remote Workforce This spring, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shift to a remote workforce. Although this move accomplished the goal of minimizing risk to public health, it opened companies all over the globe up to [a whole new set of cyber security risks](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carrierubinstein/2020/04/10/beware-remote-work-involves-these-3-cyber-security-risks/#7aef1d6561c4), such as: ### Email Scams Hackers are pros at sending legitimate-looking emails containing malicious links and attachments. This is why email phishing scams are considered the top cause of data breaches. Once an employee initiates that fateful click or download, the hacker is free to gain access to the company’s device. ### Weakened Security Controls Due to the swift pace at which businesses shifted to a remote workforce, there is a higher chance that they may be more at risk because they likely were not able to plan their transition thoroughly. ### Attacks on Remote-Working Infrastructure The following weaknesses could lead to data breaches: #### *Home Wi-Fi Security* Employees’ home networks generally have weaker protocols, which gives hackers easy access to network traffic. #### *Phishing Scams* Like we said above, phishing scams are the top cause of data breaches. Hackers send legitimate-looking emails with malicious links. Once the link is clicked, hackers can gain access to the device. #### *Insecure Passwords* Simple passwords are very easy for hackers to crack and are often used across several platforms, giving hackers access to multiple accounts in which they can wreak havoc on. #### Home Wi-Fi Security In the office, IT managers or a company’s managed service provider can more easily control network security. Employees’ home Wi-Fi networks most likely have weaker security protocols, allowing hackers to gain access to network traffic. All companies working remotely face the aforementioned challenges, however, some sectors may be more at risk than others. ## Who is Most at Risk? The following sectors may be targeted for cyber-attacks more frequently than others: ### SAAS/Webmail In 2019, just over 30 percent of phishing attacks were targeted at the SaaS/Webmail industry. ### Payments About 19.8 percent of phishing attacks were directed at the payments industry. ### Financial Institutions Another 19.4 percent of attacks were aimed at financial institutions. ### Social Media Last year, 6.8 percent of phishing invasions were aimed at social media. ### Cloud Storage The cloud storage industry was the target of 3.4 percent of the phishing attacks in 2019. If your business falls into one of these sectors, it is imperative that you take extra precautions with your cybersecurity during this time. Look at it as a challenge to create better security standards for your company going forward. This may also be a good opportunity to get quotes from experts within Alexant who can weigh in on the scenario. ## How to Ensure Data Security for a Remote Workforce Protect your business from cyber hackers trying to exploit the sudden transition to working remotely by implementing the following [best practices](https://www.raconteur.net/technology/covid-19-cybersecurity): ### Embrace easy fail-safes. A password manager will help avoid risky behavior such as saving and sharing credentials. Additionally, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible will add an extra layer of security. ‍ - [Technology News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/technology-news) - [Security News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/security-news) - [Industry News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/industry-news) [0](https://blog.alexant.com/post/covid-19s-effects-on-data-security-how-to-make-sure-youre-protected-while-working-remote#comments) Next Article ### [Cloud Migration Tips and Tricks](https://blog.alexant.com/post/cloud-migration-tips-tricks) RELATED ARTICLE ### Maybe You Like [Industry News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/industry-news) ### [COVID-19’s Effects on Data Security](https://blog.alexant.com/https/blog.alexant.com/post/covid-19s-effects-on-data-security-how-to-make-sure-youre-protected-while-working-remote) October 19 2020 [Admin](https://blog.alexant.com/author/admin) [Industry News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/industry-news) ### [Why it’s a Good Time to Revisit Your RTO/RPO Plan](https://blog.alexant.com/post/why-its-a-good-time-to-revisit-your-rto-rpo-plan) October 19 2020 [Admin](https://blog.alexant.com/author/admin) [Managed Services](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/managed-services) ### [Managed Services vs. Professional Services: Which One Fits Your IT Needs?](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-services-vs-professional-services) June 6 2025 [James Wyatt](https://blog.alexant.com/author/james-wyatt) [Technology News](https://blog.alexant.com/tag/technology-news) ### [Microsoft 365 Migration Explained by a Microsoft Partner](https://blog.alexant.com/post/microsoft-365-migration-explained-by-a-microsoft-partner) October 19 2020 [Admin](https://blog.alexant.com/author/admin) ### Heading Title There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form 1 ### [Exploring the Various Types of Managed IT Services for Your Business](https://blog.alexant.com/types-of-managed-it-services) [Read More](https://blog.alexant.com/types-of-managed-it-services) 2 ### [Managed Services vs. Professional Services: Which One Fits Your IT Needs?](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-services-vs-professional-services) [Read More](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-services-vs-professional-services) 3 ### [Overcoming Managed Services Providers Challenges in a Competitive IT Landscape](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-it-services-challenges) [Read More](https://blog.alexant.com/managed-it-services-challenges) ![Mask group](https://blog.alexant.com/hubfs/Mask%20group.svg) Since 1993, Alexant has been at the forefront of providing technology solutions that empower independent insurance agencies, emerging businesses, and law firms. With over 147 years of expertise in insurance, network design, and legal tech integration, Alexant collaborates closely to grasp the unique needs of your establishment, subsequently designing, deploying, and overseeing a tailored system. 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