Work from home securely when it’s too cold to brave the commute

Single-digit temperatures and winter bugs might be prompting a few of your employees to choose their home office this week.

Whether it’s the biting cold, a bout of sickness, or a snow-covered landscape outside, the winter season often means an increase in remote work.  Working from the warmth and comfort of home has its benefits, but also comes with the responsibility of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices.

Here are some useful tips to help you stay secure, even if you find yourself unable to leave your driveway:

Fortify Your Home Network:

Start by securing your home network. Change default router passwords, enable encryption, and update firmware regularly. Create a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi network to prevent unauthorized access.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

Strengthen your account security by implementing multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of protection, requiring users to verify their identity through a second method, such as a code sent to their mobile device.

Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):

VPNs encrypt your internet connection, enhancing data privacy. Utilize a reputable VPN service to create a secure tunnel for your online activities, especially when accessing sensitive work-related information.

Secure Devices and Software:

Regularly update your devices and software to patch vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates whenever possible. Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect against potential threats.

Create a Dedicated Workspace:

Designate a specific area for work to maintain a boundary between professional and personal activities. This helps prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing work-related materials and enhances overall security.

Be Wary of Phishing Attacks:

Stay vigilant against phishing attempts. Verify the authenticity of emails, especially those requesting sensitive information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and educate yourself on common phishing tactics.

Secure Video Conferencing:

With the rise of virtual meetings, prioritize secure video conferencing practices. Use platforms with end-to-end encryption, password protection, and waiting room features to control access to your virtual meetings.

Backup Important Data:

Regularly back up your data to an external, secure location. In the event of a cyber incident or hardware failure, having a recent backup ensures you can quickly recover essential files and information.

Educate and Train Employees:

Establish a culture of cybersecurity awareness. Provide training to employees on recognizing potential threats, practicing secure behaviors, and adhering to company security policies.

Regularly Assess and Update Security Policies:

Periodically review and update your organization’s security policies. Ensure that policies are aligned with the latest cybersecurity best practices and address the unique challenges of remote work.

By fortifying your home network, implementing multi-factor authentication, using VPNs, securing devices, creating dedicated workspaces, being vigilant against phishing, ensuring secure video conferencing, backing up data, educating employees, and regularly updating security policies, you can establish a resilient defense against potential cyber threats. Keep your data and employees safe from cybersecurity incidents if bad weather is keeping them out of the office.

If you’re wondering if employees are safe and secure working from home, Box Lake Networks offers a suite of products and services designed for just that. Contact us to learn more about the security and other IT services we offer.