As Bahrain moves to keep the majority of its public sector workforce working from home amid ongoing regional developments, authorities are also urging employees to strengthen cybersecurity practices while working remotely.
The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has activated a remote work system for up to 70% of employees across ministries and government entities, with the measure taking effect immediately and continuing until further notice. The directive excludes sectors that require physical presence or have special procedures during emergencies.
Under the arrangement, around 30% of government employees will continue working on-site, while the rest will perform their duties remotely.
Authorities said the step was introduced “in light of current regional circumstances and developments” and in line with public safety requirements, while ensuring that government services continue uninterrupted.
Alongside the remote work directive, officials and government communication channels have circulated cybersecurity guidelines for employees working from home, highlighting the risks associated with increased digital connectivity and remote access to government systems.
The guidance advises workers to use secure internet connections and avoid public Wi-Fi networks, ensure personal devices have approved antivirus software and regular security scans, and avoid storing sensitive work documents on unsecured devices.
Employees are also urged to share official data only through approved workplace platforms and to use official meeting links when hosting or joining virtual meetings.
'Use official meeting links and do not share meeting links or passwords with any unauthorised parties," CSB said in the post.
Authorities further recommended enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and accessing government systems through secure channels such as virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect official accounts and communications.
The move reflects Bahrain’s broader focus on digital resilience and cybersecurity, particularly as government operations increasingly rely on online systems. National authorities have been strengthening cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard critical digital infrastructure and protect government services from cyber threats.
"Bahrain is aware… because its people are" CSB added.
The remote work policy during uncertain times reflects Bahrain’s efforts to ensure public safety, operational continuity, and digital security while remaining resilient for both government operations and its workforce.