Question

the traditional work environment has been replaced with some more flexible arrangements such as telecommute. One of the threats associated with having employees telecommute is that they may use company-provided resources (laptop, printer, etc.) for a side business. What are some other threats? What controls can mitigate the risk of these threats? Does your company allow employees to telecommute? What controls do your company have?

Answer 1

a) Other threats on Telecommute are -

i) Less productivity or no productivity (not working) compared to employees working onsite

ii) Inappropriate use of hardware like visiting irrelevant or illegal sites

iii) security risks like not having proper antivirus / not protecting / backing up the data inadequently

iv) Increased risk of loss of privacy / confidentiality if stored data on remote computer. Also leads to data breach.

b) Control that mitigate the risks are -

i) monitor and supervise the employees using software including internet browsing.

ii) Login at company network and save all the work related files on company's network and not on home file.

iii) use VPN connection to secure wherein the employees are prevented from opening a second connection to VPN and restrict what employees can do

c) The company shoule allow employees to telecommunte for the following benefits

i) Flexible work options increases productivity

ii) work life balance

iii) Reduce employee turnover as it improves morale

iv) cost effective as the office space is not required and there it saves money on administrative cost

v) Eco friendly

d) Controls that a company should have is as all those listed in (b) above.