The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on remote working. Five years on, the masks have gone and some companies are now mandating a return to work policy, but for small businesses remote working remains common practice.
According to the Office for National Statistics, in the first quarter of 2025 more than a quarter (28%) of working adults in Great Britain enjoyed a hybrid approach to their office location. Another study conducted in April found that 21.5m Brits (39% of the population) work from home at least some of the time.
But hybrid working isn’t a benefit that is evenly distributed across professions. Beaming claims a staggering 81% of UK small businesses support remote working.
While the benefits to employees are clear, allowing to staff to work from home can be a security nightmare. So, how can a small business ensure its employees, business data, finances and reputation, stay safe in a world of constantly evolving digital threats?
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What are the biggest security risks associated with remote working?
Traditionally, a small business might have stored sensitive data on a local server that could be accessed only by devices on that network. Now, with employees potentially working at home, in coffee shops, or even abroad, business data can be more easily intercepted and compromised by hackers as it moves around the web.
Man-in-the-middle attacks
When connecting to public Wi-Fi, users may not realise that the network isn’t all that it seems. Hackers can easily set up a fake connection with a venue-matching name that monitors and records all activity conducted over that network. This includes any sensitive data that is sent or received and, in a worst-case scenario, that might be your business banking data and account details.
Phishing attacks
One of the most common types of scams employed by hackers is known as phishing. A cybercriminal will target an individual via a text message, email or other method of communication and use familiarity tactics to lull them into a false sense of security, ultimately convincing them to click on a dodgy link or hand over sensitive information. Employees can’t be alert to these scams in every situation, and with AI now making these messages ever more convincing they are increasingly difficult to spot.
Malware, viruses and spyware
Another potential danger from phishing-style attacks is that the user unknowingly has malware installed on their device. This can then watch and record everything they do, such as logging into company accounts, accessing business banking accounts, communicating with clients, and any other business-related activities.
How can a small business protect its remote workers from digital threats?
Due to the dispersed nature of remote working, it can be a challenge to enforce the same level of security as you might in the enclosed environment of a workplace. That’s why using a dedicated small business security software suite can be a great way to protect your clients and employees alike, without racking up huge expenses or adding even more stress to your busy day.
Norton Small Business is a complete solution that includes a number of purpose-built security tools to help your business avoid falling victim to the kind of attacks outlined above.
With the standard package you get always-on antivirus and firewall protection that works to continuously guard against viruses, malware and spyware attacks. There’s also a secure browser that employees can use when working on business documents or accessing online banking.
Passwords and sensitive documents can be stored in an encrypted vault to help prevent prying eyes from gaining access, while Norton keeps tabs on the dark web to seek out employee identity or business data that may have been compromised and now presents a threat to the business.
There is also an automatic software updater for Windows PCs, making sure employees don’t neglect to update outdated apps that could contain security vulnerabilities, plus 250GB of secure cloud-backup space for any business-critical files.
If your security needs are greater, the Norton Small Business Premium plan includes everything in the standard plan, plus some useful extras. You get a VPN service that encrypts all data flowing between a device and the web, helping you protect the business from man-in-the-middle attacks. You also get notified in the event of suspicious financial transactions, or fraudulent social media posts that may threaten the company’s reputation.
The premium plan bumps up the secure cloud storage to 500GB, plus you get the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 business tech support should you encounter business IT problems – ideal for small businesses who lack their own IT team.
Choose Norton for small business security
Running a small business is challenging enough, without needing to worry about IT problems and digital threats as well.
The standard plan costs £54.99 for up to three employees, £69.99 for up to five employees, and £99.99 for up to 10 employees. Step up to Norton Small Business Premium to enjoy 24/7 Business Tech Support, Secure VPN, Financial and Social Media Monitoring, Driver Updater and 500GB of secure Cloud Backup online storage; it costs £149.99 for up to five employees, and £199.99 for up to 10 employees. All prices are for the first year.
Right now, PCWorld readers can take advantage of a rare 30% discount, unlocking Norton Small Business from just £38.50/first year, and Norton Small Business Premium from just £105/first year. Just enter the code PCWNSBP at checkout to take advantage.
You don’t have to spend any money to see the benefits of the Norton Small Business plans though, as there’s a 30-day trial that lets you try it before you subscribe.
With Norton Small Business, keeping your business and its employees safer from digital threats is simple, whether that’s in the office, at home or on the road.