Endpoint Security for Remote and Hybrid Workers

Remote and hybrid workers use business devices outside the corporate network — connecting from home broadband, public Wi-Fi, and personal networks that lack the security controls of an office environment. Endpoint security must travel with the device, not rely on network perimeter controls.

Overview

Remote workers connect from networks outside corporate control — security must be device-centric, not network-dependent. Microsoft Intune manages devices remotely, Defender for Business provides endpoint protection wherever the device connects, and Conditional Access enforces MFA and device compliance regardless of location. 43% of UK businesses experienced a breach in 2025 (DSIT).

How Remote Working Changed the Security Model

Traditional IT security was designed around a clearly defined corporate perimeter — a managed network, a firewall at the boundary, and the assumption that devices inside the network were trusted. Remote and hybrid working has dismantled this model entirely. According to the ONS (Office for National Statistics, 2025), 28% of UK employees now work in a hybrid pattern, splitting time between home and the office. When employees work from home, coffee shops, or client sites, their devices connect from networks the business does not control and cannot manage. The old perimeter-based approach simply does not apply.

As part of a broader cybersecurity strategy, securing remote and hybrid workers requires a fundamental shift in approach. Rather than trying to recreate the corporate perimeter for remote workers through VPN tunnels and extended network access, the more resilient approach — aligned with the zero trust security framework — is to apply security controls directly to the device and to every access request, regardless of network origin. This means the device carries its security posture wherever it connects, whether that is the office, a home broadband connection, or a hotel Wi-Fi network.

The scale of risk is significant. According to the DSIT Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach or attack in the past twelve months. Remote and hybrid working patterns have expanded the attack surface for many businesses.

The Remote Working Risk Landscape

Remote workers face a distinct set of security risks that office-based workers do not encounter to the same degree. Home broadband routers are rarely configured with security in mind. Public Wi-Fi networks present additional risks, including man-in-the-middle attacks and rogue access points designed to intercept traffic.

Phishing risk is also elevated for remote workers. In an office environment, employees benefit from informal security culture. Remote workers lack this immediate social verification, making them more reliant on their own judgment and technical controls to catch malicious emails. The isolation of remote working creates an environment where phishing campaigns are more likely to succeed.

Data loss is another concern. Laptops used at home are more likely to be lost or stolen. Without full disk encryption and remote wipe capability, a lost laptop can expose sensitive business data.

VPN vs Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Traditional VPNs create an encrypted tunnel between the remote device and the corporate network. While this approach works, it has significant limitations. A VPN grants broad network access, violating the principle of least privilege. VPNs also create a performance bottleneck.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) takes a different approach, granting access to specific applications based on identity verification, device compliance, and contextual risk signals. Each access request is individually evaluated — there is no implicit trust based on network location.

For most UK SMEs using cloud-based applications, a full VPN is unnecessary. Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive are accessible with proper authentication and Conditional Access.

Device Management for Remote Workers

The foundation of remote worker endpoint security is device management. Microsoft Intune manages devices remotely — applying security configurations, deploying software and patches, enforcing compliance policies, and providing remote wipe capability without requiring the device to be physically present.

Intune device compliance policies define minimum security requirements. Devices that do not meet these requirements are flagged as non-compliant. This ensures that only properly secured devices can access business data.

BYOD: Managing Personal Devices

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies allow employees to use personal devices for work. BYOD introduces specific security challenges. Microsoft Intune supports two approaches to BYOD. Full device enrollment applies the same management policies as a corporate device and Mobile Application Management (MAM) manages only the business applications.

For most SMEs, a clear BYOD policy should define which approach is used and what happens to business data when an employee leaves.

Endpoint Protection That Travels with the Device

Microsoft Defender for Business provides endpoint detection and response capability regardless of which network the device is connected to. Defender for Business communicates with Microsoft's cloud security platform over the internet.

Home Network Security Considerations

While the device-centric security approach means the home network itself is not the primary security concern, basic home network hygiene reduces risk. AMVIA recommends that remote workers take the following steps with their home networks:

  • Change default router credentials.
  • Enable WPA3 or WPA2 encryption.
  • Update router firmware.
  • Separate work and personal networks.

Conditional Access and Identity Security

For remote workers, identity is the new perimeter. Multi-factor authentication addresses this for direct account compromise. Conditional Access adds additional context by verifying device compliance, checking for risky sign-in signals, and blocking legacy authentication protocols.

AMVIA configures Conditional Access policies that ensure security posture does not depend on the network the user is connected to.

Key Considerations for UK SMEs

  • Ensure all remote worker devices are enrolled in Intune.
  • Enforce MFA for all accounts.
  • Enable BitLocker encryption on all laptops.
  • Define a clear BYOD policy.
  • Evaluate whether a VPN is genuinely needed.
  • Configure network protection in Defender for Business.
  • Consider phishing simulation training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do remote workers need a VPN?

For most businesses using Microsoft 365, a traditional VPN is not necessary for day-to-day remote working.

How do we ensure remote workers' home Wi-Fi doesn't create a security risk?

The device-centric security approach means the home Wi-Fi network itself is largely irrelevant.

What happens if a remote worker's laptop is stolen?

A managed, encrypted device with BitLocker should mean the data on it is inaccessible without the correct credentials.

Secure Your Remote and Hybrid Team

AMVIA implements device-centric security for remote and hybrid workers, managing devices, enforcing endpoint protection, and configuring Conditional Access.