5 Remote Work Cybersecurity Mistakes Ohio Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them)
By: PCR Business Systems
When remote work became the default in 2020, most Akron businesses scrambled to get their teams online. Laptops were shipped, Zoom accounts created, and passwords reset in a frenzy. Fast forward a few years, and hybrid work is here to stay—but many of those quick fixes are now creating major security risks.
At PCR Business Systems, we see the same problems again and again when we help local organizations secure their remote teams. The good news? These mistakes are fixable, and the sooner you tackle them, the less likely you’ll end up paying the price of downtime, ransomware, or compliance fines.
Mistake #1: Relying on Home Wi-Fi and Personal Devices
Employees are connecting from old routers with weak passwords or using personal laptops that don’t meet business security standards. That creates an open door for cybercriminals.
The Fix: Standardize company devices and enforce encryption, automatic patching, and endpoint protection. Provide a secure way for employees to connect without depending on their home setup.
Mistake #2: Skipping Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
We get it—MFA feels like a hassle. But without it, one stolen password can compromise your entire network. And if you’re renewing cyber insurance, most carriers now require proof that MFA is enabled.
The Fix: Deploy MFA across all apps and make it user-friendly. With single sign-on (SSO), employees log in once and access everything they need securely.
Mistake #3: Assuming Microsoft 365 Backs Itself Up
One of the biggest myths we hear is, “Our data is in the cloud, so we don’t need backups.” The truth? Microsoft 365 is not a backup solution. Deleted emails, files, or Teams chats can be lost forever without a third-party backup.
The Fix: Invest in a dedicated cloud-to-cloud backup for Microsoft 365. It’s cost-effective and ensures you can recover data quickly after accidents, outages, or attacks.
Mistake #4: Ignoring SaaS Sprawl and Shadow IT
Remote employees often download apps or sign up for tools without IT approval. Over time, this creates chaos and multiple versions of the truth, unknown security risks, and overlapping costs.
The Fix: Implement governance around SaaS adoption. With the right tools, you can monitor which apps are in use, cut redundant licenses, and protect sensitive data from being shared in the wrong place.
Mistake #5: Waiting Until It’s Too Late
Unfortunately, many Akron businesses only call us after something goes wrong, like a ransomware scare or a failed audit. At that point, recovery is possible, but prevention would have been far cheaper and less stressful.
The Fix: Take a proactive approach to remote work cybersecurity. Assess your current risks, build a roadmap, and invest in layered protections that match your budget and compliance needs.
The Bottom Line
Remote work has made business more flexible, but it’s also made cybersecurity more complex. The companies that succeed aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets—they’re the ones that plan ahead.
At PCR Business Systems, we specialize in remote work cybersecurity for Akron organizations. Whether you’re in financial services, healthcare, professional services, or manufacturing, we can help you lock down your remote workforce, stay compliant, and keep work flowing.
Schedule a meeting with PCR President Pat Carroll to learn more about our remote work cybersecurity solutions.
