Remote work changed where people work, but it also fueled a change in how businesses safeguard their data. For years, security has been largely focused on office networks and company-provided devices.
In this post, we’re going to show how to protect connections and devices, since effective business security depends on both. You’ll learn why, along with how you can position your organization for optimal protection. First, though, starting on a solid footing means understanding how things worked before the paradigm shift from local to remote.
The Pre-Remote Work Security Standard
Before remote work became necessary during the pandemic, most typical organizations had offices where employees were largely located. This model provided the advantage of local network security, because when devices connected to that network, they were then protected by the firewall. Antivirus suites were mainly to help prevent users from introducing malware or viruses to the intranet.
Until recently, this setup made the most sense. Centralized IT teams managed the hardware, software, network access, and security policies. Most security tools operated on the assumption that anything inside the office network was safe. Data rarely left the building without protection, and internal systems were hidden from the internet at large. Problems were easier to isolate and fix.
How Remote Work Changed How Attackers Work
The migration to remote teams removed that critical, physical network perimeter. Employees can now connect no matter where they are, including at home, shared networks at cafes and libraries, and personal devices. Many of these are convenient, but most lack even basic security controls.
Attackers noticed, and phishing campaigns surged because there was a higher premium on credentials than ever before. Phishing is already the leading cybercrime complaint, and stolen logins can grant bad actors full access without tripping security alerts.
Unmanaged devices add even more risk. Different operating systems and update schedules can complicate things. Antivirus tools don’t protect any traffic that may be traveling across unsecure track.
Current cyber threats follow individuals, rather than targeting buildings. Businesses that turn to older security models can struggle to keep up.
Comparing Primary Security Tools
So let’s get to the meat of it. The two most popular tools are the VPN and antivirus apps. However, they don’t protect you in the same way.
Antivirus software protects individual devices. It scans files, attachments, scripts, and more, looking for dangerous code or suspicious behavior. Antivirus databases keep records of known threats that are blocked immediately, whether on desktop or mobile.
A VPN protects connections and the data that travels on them. It encrypts all traffic between users and the systems they access. This encryption is critical for employees who access trusted systems from outside the physical network of the office.
These tools both protect users and data, but in different ways. Antivirus apps can’t stop someone from eavesdropping, and a VPN is useless to stop malware. Remote work exposes both gaps at once, since employees use cloud tools, CRM platforms, internal systems, and more from various locations. Without encryption, data travels openly. Without endpoint protection, infected devices spread risk.
This is why the debate VPN vs antivirus misses the bigger picture. These tools serve different purposes. Neither one replaces the other.
Bringing Business Security Up To Speed
Remote work is here to stay, but outdated security models built for centralized locations won’t hold up for long. Organizations still relying on outdated security models risk leaving both their data and their clients vulnerable.
Strong security isn’t about one tool. It’s about combining protections so risks stay manageable as work environments continue to change.
