Remote working security risks: what UK businesses need to know

Remote working isn’t a trend any more — it’s baked into most UK businesses’ day-to-day. That’s brilliant for flexibility and talent attraction, less brilliant for the security of your data, reputation and bottom line. This guide explains the real commercial consequences of remote working security risks and gives practical steps you can act on this week, without needing a degree in IT.

Why leaders should care (beyond the tech)

When I say “security risk”, many people imagine some nerd in a dark hoodie. In reality the biggest risks are mundane: lost laptops, shared family devices, weak passwords, and staff connecting to insecure home Wi‑Fi. These lead to data breaches, regulatory headaches, insurance disputes and, importantly, lost trust from customers and suppliers. For a company of 10–200 staff, a single incident can interrupt trading for days and cost far more in brand damage than the cost of sensible controls.

Top remote working security risks and their business impact

1. Unmanaged devices

Business information accessed from personal phones or old laptops is a common vector. Unpatched devices are magnets for malware. The impact? Lost productivity when people can’t work, cost of recovery, and potential regulatory fines if customer data is involved.

2. Weak identity and access controls

Passwords reused across multiple services or missing multi‑factor authentication let attackers impersonate staff. That can mean fraudulent invoices, unauthorised transfers or confidential files leaked — classic risks that hit cashflow and credibility.

3. Insecure home networks and public Wi‑Fi

A staff member checking emails on a café hotspot or a misconfigured home router can expose sessions or credentials. The result is the same as an office break‑in: unauthorised access to systems and potentially stolen data.

4. Shadow IT

When staff use unsanctioned apps to share files or chat because the approved tools are clunky, you lose control. Data stored outside your oversight is a compliance and continuity problem.

5. Physical security lapses

Laptop left on a train, sensitive paperwork discarded in a shared bin, or viewing confidential screens in a busy coffee shop — these low‑tech incidents cause high‑cost fallout.

Practical, proportionate measures for UK businesses

Security doesn’t have to be a full‑time project. Think in terms of risk reduction that protects income and reputation, not perfection.

Set clear policies that staff understand

Write a short, plain English remote working policy focusing on behaviours: device use, secure Wi‑Fi, data handling and reporting lost devices. A tired policy document that never gets read is useless; run a brief team session and make it part of induction.

Manage devices sensibly

Ideally issue corporate devices with basic management: enforced updates, disk encryption and screen lock. If staff use personal devices, require a minimal standard — current OS, antivirus and a separate app or container for company email. It’s cheaper than dealing with a breach.

Protect identity first

Multi‑factor authentication (MFA) dramatically reduces account takeover risk. Combine MFA with role‑based access so staff only see what they need. For small businesses this is low cost and high return.

Choose tools that reduce shadow IT

Pick one approved way to share files and one to message. Make them easy to use and explain why they’re required. When staff have a reliable route, they stop improvising with consumer apps.

Train realistically and often

Short, scenario‑based training beats dense manuals. Cover phishing, safe home Wi‑Fi settings and what to do if a device is lost. Reinforce by example — an office chat with a real‑world near miss is more memorable than a slide deck.

Plan for incidents

Have an incident playbook: who to call, who suspends accounts, and how to communicate with customers and insurers. Practising responses with tabletop exercises prevents chaos when something actually happens.

Compliance, insurance and the regulators

GDPR still matters. A data breach caused by lax remote working controls can trigger reporting obligations and fines, and create headaches with insurers. Be able to show what reasonable steps you took; good documentation often makes the difference between a manageable incident and a costly dispute.

How to decide what to prioritise

Start with a short risk assessment: which data would harm customers if leaked? Which systems would stop you trading? Tackle the highest impact areas first — typically identity controls and device management. Small firms I’ve worked with often get most value from making MFA mandatory, issuing a handful of managed laptops, and training staff once a quarter.

For more structured help on setting up secure, practical remote working, consider a partner who can provide managed remote working support tailored to UK businesses.

Budgeting and commercial sense

Security is an investment not a tax. Spending a little on preventative measures usually saves several times that in avoided downtime, remedial costs and reputational damage. If you’re balancing tight budgets, focus on low‑cost, high‑impact controls: MFA, backups, and clear policies. Those moves buy time and credibility with customers and partners.

Everyday habits that reduce risk

Make these non‑negotiable: strong, unique passwords (or a password manager), locking screens when away from the desk, checking certificate warnings, and reporting suspicious emails. These habits are the equivalent of closing the office door at night — small actions that prevent bigger problems. (See our healthcare IT support guidance.)

FAQ

How risky is remote working compared with office work?

Different risks, similar magnitude. Offices have physical security controls; remote working shifts the perimeter to homes and public spaces. The key is to translate office safeguards into remote equivalents — encryption for devices, MFA for access and documented workflows for sensitive tasks.

What’s the simplest first step for a small business?

Enable multi‑factor authentication across core services and ensure regular backups. These two actions remove the most common and damaging outcomes of account compromise and data loss.

Do we need to provide company devices to everyone?

Not necessarily. For roles that handle sensitive data or financial transactions, company devices are advisable. For others, a bring‑your‑own policy with minimum security standards can work — provided you have a way to enforce or verify those standards.

How much does training need to cost to be effective?

It doesn’t need to be expensive. Short, relevant sessions delivered quarterly, combined with a few real examples from day‑to‑day operations, are more effective than costly annual courses that staff forget.

What if a member of staff loses a device while travelling?

Treat it like any incident: remotely wipe the device if possible, change passwords for business accounts, and review recent access logs. Communicate with affected customers if necessary, and log the incident for insurer and regulator purposes.

Remote working security risks are manageable. Focus on the business outcomes — less downtime, fewer disputes, preserved credibility — and build a pragmatic plan. Fix the basics first, keep policies short and lived, and rehearse your response.

If you want to reduce disruption and protect earnings without overcomplicating things, explore options for managed remote working support that free up your time and protect your reputation.