7 Important Security Measures for Working Remotely
April 15th, 2020 by admin
Working remotely has suddenly become a necessity, but personal devices and unsecured internet connections can leave employees vulnerable to a variety of cyber threats. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to safeguard you and your customer's data.
#1 Make sure your PC is password protected.
Password protecting your PC seems like a simple common sense thing, but many people don't bother, especially if they are working primarily from home. However, having your PC protected by a unique security PIN would help to prevent a physical intrusion into your device should someone get a hold of it.
#2 Watch out for phishing emails.
There will be many COVID-19 related phishing emails going around trying to capitalize on fear related to the coronavirus, questions about isolation and its psychological impacts, or even pretending to offer advice, resources, funding, or health information. Scan those emails with a sharp eye and do not open attachments unless they're from a known, trusted source.
#3 Regularly change passwords with two-factor identification.
It's always a good idea to update your passwords consistently to protect your data further. You can also use a password manager, or a security solution that includes a password manager, to keep track of all your unique passwords. Furthermore, using two-factor authentication is a more secure way to access work applications. In addition to a password/username combo, you will be asked to verify who you are with a device that you–and only you—own, such as a mobile phone. Put simply: it uses two factors to confirm an identity. Ultimately, getting access to something supposedly confidential isn't that hard for hackers nowadays. However, the second form of identification makes it so hackers are limited in what they can pull off.
#4 Browse with the latest security updates.
Ensure that you continue to update your security solutions across all devices. This will help protect devices against malware, phishing attacks, and other threats, as well as help identify malicious websites while browsing.
#5 Secure your home Wi-Fi network with a strong password.
To prevent a hacker from gaining access to your internet activity and potentially your accounts, make sure to use complex passwords for Wi-Fi network, and never reuse your credentials across different platforms.
#6 Backup your work to your company's secure cloud – not your local device.
The one clear advantage that online backup has over local backup is that your data is stored away from your home or office, meaning that your important data is free from local disasters like fires and floods that could impact your external hard drive, optical discs, or other local backup destinations or media. Having your data stored in a physically secure, enterprise-grade data center also means that it's protected from theft as well as most common hardware failures. Another reason to use online backup over local backup is to access your backed up files from online and share/collaborate with your remote team.
#7 Educate your team on cyber security best practices now.
Employers must not only educate their employees on digital security best practices but also give them the tools to combat online threats that may stem from remote work. With many of us relying on emails and the web to work remotely, we need to be aware of the key giveaway signs that indicate a threat. From there we can spot, flag, and report anything that looks suspicious. By sharing the responsibility and encouraging others to flag anything sketchy, we can all naturally raise awareness and help others avoid falling into similar traps. By staying open with one another, we can stay ahead of hackers.
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Posted in: Security