Even while some companies are returning to the office, those working from home are at higher levels than ever. One challenge of remote work is securing the networks and devices used outside the traditional office.
Those working remotely can only rely on their company’s IT team but also need to take steps to keep their home office safe. With that in mind, it’s critical for each employee to assume responsibility for their individual security while at home. How is that accomplished, though? Take a look at our experts’ tips on tightening cybersecurity in your home office.
Lock down your devices.
Don’t leave your computer, laptop, or mobile device in your car. Bring your technology with you, and don’t leave any room for smash-and-grab criminals scoping out the streets and looking for unlocked cars. Bluetooth scanners detect any device veiled by a backpack or trunk. Simply put — take it with you.
Treat those strange emails with caution.
Don’t believe every email you receive. At a time in which phishing scams are more frequent than ever, hackers have been targeting remote workers by impersonating trusted companies and executives. These malicious messages are sent with the goal of tricking the recipient into sharing valuable information, or even worse, downloading malware so they can get that valuable information themselves with remote access to your computer.
Identify the sender by contacting your colleague directly, and always forward any suspicious emails to your organization’s IT team.
Enable multi-factor authentication.
One of the best safety precautions for tightening cybersecurity in your home office is enabling multi-factor authentication, sometimes referred to as two-factor authentication. MFA ensures at least two verification methods are in place before a user can gain access to their account.
For example, after submitting your username and password on a site’s login page, a code will be then texted to your phone that then must also be submitted to deter potential attackers from gaining unauthorized access to your account.
Ensure your firewall and firmware are up to date.
Verify the firewall on your at-home router is enabled and that its firmware has been recently updated to the most current version. Make sure to practice frequent individual backups as well.
Frequently change passwords.
Remote team members can protect themselves by frequently changing their passwords. Our experts recommend you switch up your passwords every three months. Avoid using sequential letters or numbers, and keep your passwords at or above 12 characters.
Stay away from public Wi-Fi.
Sometimes we all want to get out of our house and enjoy a drink in a cozy coffee shop. It’s understandable but stick to your own personal device’s hotspot. Public Wi-Fi offers easy access for hackers through unencrypted connectivity, man-in-the-middle attacks, and even seemingly-safe networks that have been compromised by attackers.
Know your company’s security policies, and follow them.
Every individual in an organization should know it’s their due diligence to adhere to their company’s security policies. You’re all in it together as a team, and you should be aware of the practices your IT team has implemented to keep security top-notch. Also, be aware of your surroundings while having confidential conversations or meetings.
The bigger picture.
With so many people making the adjustment to remote work over the last several years, at-home offices are here to stay. Successfully tightening cybersecurity in your home office is essential in safeguarding you, your co-workers, and your organization’s invaluable data.
Still need guidance in staying on top of the cybersecurity in your home office and the home offices of your remote employees? Contact Radius180 now, and let’s #DoA180 — together.
