How to Make Remote Work Safe for Your Company
Have you noticed how easy it has become to work from anywhere? One day you might work from home, the next from a coworking space, and over the weekend you might check emails on your phone while enjoying a coffee. This flexibility is wonderful, but it also raises an inevitable question: how do we protect data when remote work becomes the norm, not the exception?
ISO 27001 is an international standard that sets rules and best practices for information protection in companies. Among its many recommendations, one of the most relevant for remote work is Control A.6.7 – “Remote Working.” This control is not just about technology; it focuses on how to combine the freedom to work from anywhere with the responsibility to keep information secure.
Cuprins
What is Control A.6.7 “Remote Working”?
Control A.6.7 in ISO 27001:2022 requires organizations to establish clear policies and measures to protect data when employees work remotely.
Why? Because risks increase exponentially when the traditional security perimeter disappears. Instead of just secured servers in office buildings, there is now a network of employees connecting from home, on the go, or from public spaces.
The control focuses on:
- Reducing risks from insecure networks (public Wi-Fi, improvised hotspots),
- Protecting devices (laptops, phones, tablets),
- Clear rules for accessing data,
- Ensuring users take responsibility for maintaining security.
The ultimate goal is simple: to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, regardless of where your employees work.
The Story Behind It
Imagine an employee opening a laptop on a train to download a confidential report. Minutes later, the public network they connected to is compromised, and the data falls into the wrong hands.
This isn’t fiction—it has happened. Control A.6.7 and remote access policies exist precisely to prevent such scenarios.
What Should a Remote Work Policy Include According to ISO 27001?
A remote work and remote access policy is not just a few general rules; it details how people and technology should work together to protect information. Key elements include:
- Device requirements – which equipment is allowed (company or personal laptops), supported operating systems, mandatory patches, and antivirus solutions.
- Connection measures – mandatory VPNs, multi-factor authentication (MFA), complex and regularly updated passwords.
- Rules for sensitive data – how confidential information is accessed, transferred, and stored, including prohibition on saving documents on unencrypted personal devices.
- Workspace considerations – employees should work in private spaces where others cannot view documents or screens.
- Incident reporting procedures – clear steps if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised.
- Clear limitations – prohibited apps, services, or access methods.
- Regular training – so employees understand why these rules exist and how to follow them.
- Responsibilities – who monitors compliance, approves exceptions, and ensures policy enforcement.
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Practical Examples: Where Most Mistakes Happen
- Shadow IT – using unsecured apps for file sharing.
- Insecure networks – employees working on public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
- Mixed devices – personal laptops used for both work and entertainment apps.
- Lack of awareness – people not realizing that documents on a visible screen in a public space are already a risk.
The ISO 27001 standard for remote access is not just a compliance obligation; it’s a practical solution for educating employees and protecting company data.
Why a Remote Access Policy Matters
Many see policies as documents for auditors. In reality, they guide employees to make the right decisions, even when working remotely.
A well-constructed policy reduces the risk of incidents, ensures compliance with current legislation—including personal data protection and industry-specific requirements—and guarantees that the organization meets contractual obligations to partners and clients. At the same time, it provides peace of mind and security for managers and teams.
Conclusion
Remote work is now part of our professional lives. Control A.6.7 and a robust remote access policy answer the question: “How can we work freely while staying safe?”
And perhaps the most important lesson is this: freedom and security do not exclude each other—they complement one another.
