Teleworking
“There are two types of companies: those that have been hacked, and those who don’t know they have been hacked.”
Overview
Control A.6.2.2 focuses on developing a policy and supporting security measures to protect information accessed, processed, or stored at teleworking sites. This guide provides comprehensive strategies for implementation, measurement, and refinement of the control, tailored for engineers, analysts, managers, and auditors.
For Engineers
Why This Control Matters
As an engineer, this control is crucial because teleworking introduces new attack vectors and potential vulnerabilities. Employees accessing corporate resources from various locations and networks can significantly increase the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. Implementing robust technical controls ensures the security and integrity of your organization's information assets, regardless of where employees are working.
Implementation
Set up a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution for remote access to corporate resources.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all remote access attempts.
Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions on all devices used for teleworking.
Establish secure file sharing and collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint with proper access controls).
Implement data loss prevention (DLP) tools to monitor and control data movement.
Example: Implement Cisco AnyConnect for VPN, Duo Security for MFA, CrowdStrike Falcon for EDR, and Microsoft 365 with SharePoint for secure collaboration.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Regularly update and patch all systems and software used for teleworking.
Monitor and respond to security alerts related to remote access and teleworking activities.
Conduct regular vulnerability assessments of teleworking infrastructure.
Provide technical support for teleworking-related issues and troubleshooting.
Continuously evaluate and implement new security technologies suitable for teleworking environments.
For Analysts
Why This Control Matters
As an analyst, this control is vital because it provides visibility into teleworking activities and associated risks. Effective analysis of teleworking data helps identify potential security breaches, unusual access patterns, and areas for improvement in the organization's remote work security posture.
Implementation
Develop a risk assessment framework specific to teleworking scenarios.
Implement logging and monitoring solutions for all teleworking activities.
Create dashboards and reports to visualize teleworking security metrics.
Establish baseline behavior for normal teleworking activities to detect anomalies.
Conduct regular security assessments of teleworking practices and tools.
Example: Use Splunk or ELK stack to aggregate logs from VPN, EDR, and collaboration tools. Create dashboards to monitor metrics like unusual login times, failed access attempts, and data exfiltration attempts.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Continuously monitor and analyze teleworking activity patterns and security events.
Produce regular reports on teleworking security status for management.
Conduct periodic assessments of the effectiveness of teleworking security controls.
Stay updated on emerging threats specific to remote work and share insights with the team.
Collaborate with engineers to fine-tune security controls based on analysis findings.
For Managers
Why This Control Matters
As a manager, this control is essential because it ensures business continuity while protecting the organization's data and reputation in a distributed work environment. A comprehensive teleworking policy helps maintain productivity, ensures compliance, and reduces the risk of security incidents related to remote work.
Implementation
Develop a detailed teleworking policy covering acceptable use, data protection, and incident reporting.
Establish clear guidelines for handling sensitive information in teleworking environments.
Implement a formal process for approving and registering devices used for teleworking.
Ensure regular training for employees on teleworking security best practices.
Create an incident response plan specific to teleworking-related security events.
Example: Develop a policy that mandates the use of company-approved devices and software for teleworking, requires secure home Wi-Fi setups, and outlines procedures for reporting lost or stolen devices.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Regularly review and update the teleworking policy to address new threats and technologies.
Ensure compliance with the teleworking policy across all departments.
Coordinate with HR to incorporate teleworking security into employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
Allocate resources for teleworking security initiatives and training programs.
Foster a culture of security awareness in the context of remote work.
For Auditors
Why This Control Matters
As an auditor, this control is crucial because it ensures that the organization's teleworking practices align with its overall information security strategy and compliance requirements. Effective auditing of this control helps identify gaps in policy implementation and areas for improvement in the teleworking security posture.
Implementation
Develop an audit checklist specific to teleworking security controls.
Verify the existence and adequacy of the teleworking policy and supporting procedures.
Review logs and reports from VPN, EDR, and collaboration tools to ensure policy compliance.
Assess the effectiveness of employee training programs on teleworking security.
Conduct interviews with teleworking employees to gauge policy awareness and compliance.
Example: Perform spot checks by requesting VPN access logs and EDR reports for a sample of teleworking employees to ensure compliance with authentication and data protection requirements.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Conduct regular audits of teleworking practices and policy compliance.
Review incident reports related to teleworking and assess the effectiveness of response procedures.
Evaluate the organization's teleworking security posture against industry standards and best practices.
Provide recommendations for improving teleworking security based on audit findings.
Stay informed about regulatory changes that may impact teleworking policies and controls.
Measurement
Track the percentage of teleworking devices enrolled in the MDM/EDR system.
Monitor the number of security incidents related to teleworking.
Measure the time taken to patch vulnerabilities on teleworking devices.
Assess employee awareness through periodic security quizzes or simulated phishing attempts targeting remote workers.
Track VPN usage patterns and anomalies.
Example: Set a KPI to have 100% of teleworking employees complete quarterly security awareness training specific to remote work risks.
Refinement
Regularly update the teleworking policy to address new threats and technologies.
Continuously improve security tools and processes based on incident data and user feedback.
Adjust security measures based on the results of risk assessments and security audits.
Enhance employee training programs to address common issues identified during audits or incidents.
Stay informed about emerging best practices in teleworking security and incorporate them into your policies and procedures.
Example: After noticing an increase in phishing attempts targeting remote workers, implement an advanced email filtering solution and conduct more frequent phishing simulation exercises.
By following these guidelines and understanding the importance of this control, organizations can effectively implement, measure, and refine their teleworking policy to align with ISO 27001 A.6.2.2 requirements and enhance overall information security in remote work environments.
