Remote work is here to stay, and so are the security challenges that come with it. Your team might log in from home offices, coffee shops, or co-working spaces on any given day. That flexibility is great for productivity, but it also means more variables for IT to manage.
Fortunately, you can build strong defenses without turning every login into an obstacle course. LastPass helps remote teams stay secure by syncing passwords across devices and simplifying access to shared accounts.
This guide walks you through 8 practical steps to keep your company secure when your team works remotely. From deploying an enterprise password manager to training your team on phishing risks, these strategies protect your data while letting your people do their best work.
Key Takeaways: How to secure remote work without slowing down your team
- An enterprise password manager stores and syncs credentials across your team's devices so no one reuses weak passwords.
- Multifactor authentication blocks most automated attacks even when login credentials get compromised.
- VPNs encrypt traffic on public networks, keeping company data private when employees work from coffee shops or co-working spaces.
- LastPass integrates with major identity providers to give employees federated login access to their password vaults.
- Regular security training helps employees recognize phishing attempts and social engineering tactics before they cause damage.
How to secure your remote team in 8 practical steps
1. Deploy an enterprise password manager for your team
A password manager gives your team a secure place to store every credential, synced across all their devices. No more passwords saved in spreadsheets or sticky notes.
When you roll out enterprise password management software, your team gets automatic password saving and autofill. They save time on logins while you gain visibility into password health across the organization.
Make sure your team uses the built-in password generator. It creates unique, complex passwords for every account so no one falls back on reusing the same credentials everywhere.
The Security Dashboard feature is another must-have. It gives you password health scores and alerts when someone's using weak or reused passwords. You'll spot vulnerabilities before they become breaches.
2. Enable multifactor authentication on all accounts
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires a second verification step, like a code from an authenticator app or a fingerprint scan. Even if a bad actor steals a password, they can't get in without that second factor. This single step blocks the vast majority of automated attacks targeting your team.
Start by enabling MFA on your most critical systems: email, cloud storage, and financial tools. Then expand to every application your team uses daily.
Choose MFA methods that fit how your team works. Authenticator apps work well for most people. Hardware security keys add extra protection for high-risk roles like finance and IT administration. Biometric options like fingerprint or face recognition make the process fast and familiar.
3. Set up a VPN for secure remote access
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all traffic between your team's devices and your company network. This matters especially when employees connect from public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or co-working spaces.
Without a VPN, data traveling over these networks is visible to anyone with basic hacking tools. An encrypted tunnel keeps your information private even on compromised networks.
Configure your VPN to require connection before accessing sensitive company resources. This ensures employees can't accidentally bypass protection when they're in a hurry.
4. Establish clear policies for the best way to share passwords with team members
Password sharing happens in every organization. The question is whether it happens securely or through risky channels like email and chat messages.
The best way to share passwords with team members is through encrypted sharing features in your password manager. You can even hide the actual password characters from recipients if needed. When someone leaves the team, you revoke access with a few clicks.
Create a policy that specifies approved sharing methods and discourages password sharing through email, Slack, or text messages.
Organize shared credentials into folders by team, project, or department. This structure makes it easy to share password access with the right people. You'll also have a clear audit trail showing who accessed what and when.
5. Use single sign-on (SSO) to simplify logins
Single sign-on lets your team access multiple applications with one set of credentials. They authenticate once and gain entry to everything they need for work.
SSO reduces password fatigue dramatically. When people manage fewer passwords, they're less likely to create weak ones or write them down. It's a security win disguised as a convenience feature.
Look for enterprise password management that integrates natively with major identity providers. Direct connections to Microsoft Entra, Okta, Google Workspace, and OneLogin mean your existing user directory controls access everywhere.
Some password managers take this further by letting employees use their existing corporate credentials to access their vault. No separate master password to remember, and IT maintains control through your identity provider's policies.
6. Secure endpoints with device management software
Every laptop, phone, and tablet connecting to your systems is an endpoint. Each one needs protection, especially when your team works from locations you don't control.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) software lets you enforce security policies across all devices. You can require screen locks, enable remote wipe capabilities, and ensure operating systems stay updated.
Set minimum security standards for any device accessing company data. This might include encryption requirements, approved antivirus software, and automatic updates enabled.
Consider whether personal devices should access company resources at all. If you allow it, a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy should clearly define what security measures employees must maintain on their personal hardware.
7. Train employees on phishing and remote work risks
Security tools only work if your team knows how to use them and what to watch out for. Regular training keeps everyone sharp.
Phishing remains one of the most common ways attackers steal credentials. A convincing email can trick even cautious employees into handing over login details.
Run regular phishing simulations to test awareness. When someone clicks a fake malicious link, use it as a teaching moment rather than a punishment. The goal is behavior change, not blame.
Cover remote-specific risks in your training. Public Wi-Fi dangers, shoulder surfing in public spaces, and the importance of locking devices when stepping away all deserve attention. Keep sessions short and practical so the lessons stick.
8. Monitor access logs without micromanaging productivity
Visibility into who's accessing what helps you spot threats early. But there's a line between security monitoring and surveillance that erodes trust.
Focus your monitoring on access patterns rather than activity tracking. You want to know if someone logs in from an unusual location or accesses systems outside normal hours. You don't need to track every keystroke.
Set up alerts for genuinely suspicious behavior. Multiple failed login attempts, access from new countries, or bulk downloads of sensitive files warrant immediate attention.
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) integrations let you centralize security logs from multiple systems into one dashboard. You can create customizable reports, automate compliance documentation, and detect anomalies quickly. This visibility helps you respond to threats while respecting your team's autonomy.
How LastPass helps you secure remote work
Managing security for a distributed team gets complicated fast. LastPass simplifies it by combining enterprise password management with the tools your IT team needs to maintain control.
Your remote employees get automatic password saving, a built-in generator for creating strong unique passwords, and cross-device sync that works across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Dark web monitoring alerts them when their information appears in data breaches so they can take action quickly.
For IT, the Admin Console gives you over 100 customizable security policies and role-based access control. You can designate users, helpdesk admins, admins, and super admins with appropriate permissions for each role.
Automated provisioning through Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, Okta, and OneLogin means new employees get access on day one. When someone leaves, removing them from your directory automatically revokes their LastPass access too. You'll never wonder if a former employee still has the keys to critical systems.
LastPass uses zero-knowledge architecture, which means only your employees can decrypt and access their data using their master passwords. Not even LastPass can see what's stored in their vaults.
Ready to secure your remote team? Try LastPass Business and discover why it leads on G2 for balancing security with usability.
