With more and more of us now working away from the office on a regular, or even permanent, basis, it’s essential to take the right steps to ensure that security is upheld.
Understand the dangers and stay alert
Of course, there’s no substitute for keeping up to date with the most prevalent threats to your security whilst working online. With studies showing that the majority of data breaches occur as a result of human error, it makes sense to prioritise education for yourself and other team members.
Being aware of the remote work security risks of phishing, trojans, spyware and more is a highly effective first line of defence.
For example, be vigilant clicking on any link that is sent to your email address, even if it appears to come from a trusted source. Check out the sender’s address and compare it to the genuine article, and, if in doubt, don’t risk it. Similarly, don’t download or install any software that hasn’t been approved by your IT team.
Use the latest software
When it comes to software, investing in the best security software can be a very effective way to stay safe when working remotely. This means installing anti-virus and malware solutions and using a VPN. But in order to get the optimum benefits from these advanced technologies, it’s imperative that all recommended patches and updates are installed as soon as possible.
This gives cybercriminals a far smaller window of opportunity in which to take advantage of any loopholes that may have been discovered. There are even software management tools available that can take care of updates and patches, so there really is no need to fall behind.
Use the right devices
When you are out and about and want to quickly tick off a work task, it can be really tempting to use a personal device, such as a tablet or mobile phone.
However, if these devices haven’t been authorised by your employer, they may not be sufficiently protected from hackers, and logging into your workplace system from a vulnerable device can expose your entire organisation to remote work security risks. This is also an important consideration if you are a manager looking to introduce a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy into the workplace.
Remember data protection
Whether you’re working in the office or at home, data protection regulations still apply, so make sure GDPR compliance is upheld at all times. This means making sure others in the household are kept away from files and keeping USB sticks securely locked away.
Avoid remote work security risks by using multi-factor authentication for work PCs or laptops and invest in a sliding webcam cover if you tend to have sensitive physical documents out on view.
