Securing the Remote Frontier: A Comprehensive Work-From-Home Security Assessment

Client Profile

A mid-sized global legal consulting firm with over 500 employees across North America and Europe. The client rapidly transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. While productivity increased, concerns around data confidentiality, unsecured endpoints, and remote access protocols triggered the need for a robust security assessment.

Challenges Faced

Key security concerns included:

  • Lack of standardized endpoint protection for remote devices
  • Shadow IT usage and data sprawl across unauthorized SaaS apps
  • Weak remote access controls and VPN misconfigurations
  • Insufficient employee awareness on secure remote practices
Solution

COE Security implemented a tailored Remote Work Security Assessment Program, combining:

  • Asset Discovery and Endpoint Hardening: Identified unmanaged devices and enforced encryption and EDR baselines
  • Remote Access Review: Evaluated VPN configurations, split tunneling, and implemented MFA
  • Cloud & SaaS Risk Analysis: Assessed third-party tool usage and aligned with acceptable use policies
  • Security Awareness Campaign: Delivered custom training, simulated phishing, and a secure remote work policy guide
Securing Work-From-Anywhere Environments
  • Performed endpoint compliance checks on over 500 devices
  • Enforced strong authentication across VPN and cloud access platforms
  • Mitigated 87% of discovered endpoint misconfigurations within 30 days
  • Reduced shadow IT apps usage by 60% through policy enforcement and approved tool onboarding
  • Conducted targeted phishing simulations that improved reporting rate by 45%
Governance, Strategy, and Readiness
  • Established a Remote Work Policy Framework including device usage, access rights, and support guidelines
  • Implemented a Zero Trust baseline with conditional access policies
  • Initiated monthly compliance reporting to executive leadership
  • Introduced a Security Champions network for remote teams to localize security ownership
COE Remote Work Security Assessment Service Suite
  • Remote Work Security Assessments
  • Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Deployment
  • Remote Access Control Audits
  • SaaS Risk Posture Reviews
  • Phishing Simulation Campaigns
  • Custom Security Awareness Trainings
  • Zero Trust Access Configuration
  • Cloud Compliance Monitoring
  • BYOD Policy Design & Implementation
  • Remote Risk Dashboard & Metrics Reporting
Implementation Details
  • Deployed EDR agents remotely across all user devices
  • Integrated conditional access policies with Microsoft 365 and Okta
  • Delivered live remote training sessions across 3 time zones
  • Compiled a Remote Work Security Playbook customized per department
  • Provided bi-weekly security posture reports with user risk scoring
Results Achieved
  • 100% device visibility achieved within the first 3 weeks
  • 70% reduction in security incidents related to remote work within 60 days
  • Aligned with ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.2 (Risk Treatment) for teleworking
  • Improved security awareness score by 35% across user base
Client Testimonial

“COE Security turned our remote work challenge into a strategic advantage. Their practical recommendations, fast deployment, and user-first training changed how we think about security – permanently.”