Working from home brings more cyber threats in Vietnam during COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: cafef)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Anumber of firms have allowed their employees to work from home to protect themduring the COVID-19 pandemic, which is increasing the risks to cybersecurity.
Working remotely may keeppeople safe, however, Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam InternetAssociation tells Vietnam News:“Cybersecurity issues are more likely to arise as a result of peopleworking from home, especially for those not using a company computer.”
Binh added: “A home computer isless likely to be set up as securely as a company one.”
“Most home computers containmore risks as they are used by other family members with low or no protectionpackages.”
The expert thought working fromhome could expose employees' devices and the company's network to threats oninsecure public WiFi networks.
In January, the Ministryof Information and Communications (MIC) warned local internet users about cybersecurity, mentioning that various kinds of attacks still exist online andare able to harm users if they are careless. MIC reported 283 cyber-attacksagainst Vietnamese information systems in the first month of the year. InMarch, more cases were announced.
Besides the weaker protectionat home, cyber security experts also warn about using social media as a workingplatform.
While Binh did not comment onthe danger of people using social media like Facebook and Zalo to connect withcolleagues, on March 24, according to local media, 41 million VietnameseFacebook accounts were found leaked on RaidForums – a site on the dark webwhich is used to sell stolen information.
Binh told Vietnam News:“It is the best if staff use the office computer to work at home.”
However, it is not that easy.
Among those who are workingfrom home during the pandemic, Truong Quynh Anh, a media planner for afoodstuff company in Hanoi says: “It is impossible to bring the computer in theoffice home, as it is sluggish and the procedures to bring something out of theoffice building is complicated.”
Anh still uses her own laptopwith much of her own information, though she knows it is riskier.
She told Vietnam News:“I have no other choice. They don’t pay me to buy another laptop and I won’tspend on another one for a short period of time."
There is no data on the numberof employees who are working from home during this period, but Binh thought“the trend is on the rise.”
In such a situation, Ngo Tran Vu,Director of Nam Truong Son Security Company, recommended firms andorganisations which allowed their employees to work online set up a VPN thatprotects the company’s devices with virtual security software.
Vu said: “Companies may need toenforce two-factor authentication across all assets and for all employees.”
As cybersecurity plays animportant role in the safety of a business, Vu added that: “With or withoutCOVID-19, enterprises should give their employees regular and updated trainingabout how to work securely from a distance as working from home is on the risefor sure.”/.
Working remotely may keeppeople safe, however, Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam InternetAssociation tells Vietnam News:“Cybersecurity issues are more likely to arise as a result of peopleworking from home, especially for those not using a company computer.”
Binh added: “A home computer isless likely to be set up as securely as a company one.”
“Most home computers containmore risks as they are used by other family members with low or no protectionpackages.”
The expert thought working fromhome could expose employees' devices and the company's network to threats oninsecure public WiFi networks.
In January, the Ministryof Information and Communications (MIC) warned local internet users about cybersecurity, mentioning that various kinds of attacks still exist online andare able to harm users if they are careless. MIC reported 283 cyber-attacksagainst Vietnamese information systems in the first month of the year. InMarch, more cases were announced.
Besides the weaker protectionat home, cyber security experts also warn about using social media as a workingplatform.
While Binh did not comment onthe danger of people using social media like Facebook and Zalo to connect withcolleagues, on March 24, according to local media, 41 million VietnameseFacebook accounts were found leaked on RaidForums – a site on the dark webwhich is used to sell stolen information.
Binh told Vietnam News:“It is the best if staff use the office computer to work at home.”
However, it is not that easy.
Among those who are workingfrom home during the pandemic, Truong Quynh Anh, a media planner for afoodstuff company in Hanoi says: “It is impossible to bring the computer in theoffice home, as it is sluggish and the procedures to bring something out of theoffice building is complicated.”
Anh still uses her own laptopwith much of her own information, though she knows it is riskier.
She told Vietnam News:“I have no other choice. They don’t pay me to buy another laptop and I won’tspend on another one for a short period of time."
There is no data on the numberof employees who are working from home during this period, but Binh thought“the trend is on the rise.”
In such a situation, Ngo Tran Vu,Director of Nam Truong Son Security Company, recommended firms andorganisations which allowed their employees to work online set up a VPN thatprotects the company’s devices with virtual security software.
Vu said: “Companies may need toenforce two-factor authentication across all assets and for all employees.”
As cybersecurity plays animportant role in the safety of a business, Vu added that: “With or withoutCOVID-19, enterprises should give their employees regular and updated trainingabout how to work securely from a distance as working from home is on the risefor sure.”/.
VNA
