Endpoint Security for Remote and Hybrid Workers

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 working has dismantled this model. When employees work from home, coffee shops, or client sites, their devices connect from networks you do not control and cannot manage.

The response is not to try 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 is secure whether it is in the office, at home, or at a hotel.

43% of UK businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach in 2025 (DSIT). Remote and hybrid working patterns have expanded the attack surface for many businesses — more endpoints, more networks, and a greater reliance on cloud services that are accessible from anywhere.

Device Management for Remote Workers

The foundation of remote worker endpoint security is device management. Microsoft Intune (included in M365 Business Premium) manages devices remotely — applying security configurations, deploying patches, enforcing compliance policies, and providing remote wipe capability — without requiring the device to be physically in the office or connected to the corporate network.

Intune device compliance policies define minimum security requirements: a screen lock PIN or biometric, BitLocker encryption, a minimum OS version, and active endpoint protection. Devices that do not meet these requirements are flagged as non-compliant and can be blocked from accessing Microsoft 365 through Conditional Access policies until they are remediated.

Endpoint Protection That Travels with the Device

Microsoft Defender for Business provides endpoint detection and response capability that operates regardless of which network the device is connected to. Defender for Business communicates with Microsoft's cloud platform over the internet — so whether the device is in the office on the corporate network or at home on a broadband connection, protection and monitoring are active.

This is fundamentally different from network-based security controls. A firewall at the office boundary provides no protection to a remote worker connecting directly to Microsoft 365. Defender for Business running on the device does.

Conditional Access and Identity Security

For remote workers, identity is the new perimeter. If an attacker compromises a remote worker's credentials — through phishing, credential stuffing, or account takeover — those credentials may provide direct access to cloud applications. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) addresses this for direct account compromise, but Conditional Access adds additional context: verifying device compliance, checking for risky sign-in signals, and blocking legacy authentication protocols that are more vulnerable to attack.

AMVIA configures Conditional Access policies that require MFA for all remote access, require device compliance before granting access to sensitive applications, and block access from legacy authentication protocols. These policies apply equally to office and remote workers, ensuring security does not depend on which network the user is on.

Key Considerations for UK SMEs

• Ensure all remote worker devices are enrolled in Intune — unmanaged devices are the most common source of security incidents in hybrid environments
• Enforce MFA for all accounts — especially critical when users are connecting from home networks you do not control
• Enable BitLocker encryption on all laptops — home networks are more likely to be targeted, and a lost laptop from a home office must be protected
• Configure network protection in Defender for Business — blocks connections to known malicious domains regardless of which DNS server the device uses
• Consider phishing simulation training — remote workers are more isolated and may be more susceptible to targeted phishing

How AMVIA Can Help

AMVIA secures remote and hybrid worker devices as part of its managed IT and cybersecurity services. We enrol all managed endpoints in Intune, configure Defender for Business, deploy Conditional Access policies, and manage endpoint security centrally — providing consistent protection regardless of where your team works. For businesses transitioning to hybrid working or expanding their remote workforce, AMVIA can assess your current endpoint security posture and implement the controls needed for secure remote working. Contact AMVIA on 0333 733 8050.