As we become increasingly digitally connected, remote work has become a large part of the professional landscape. Whether you have been working from home for years or are new to working from home, creating a safe and secure work environment is critical. It is important that the privacy and security of your organization’s data is still considered even when working remotely. Here are some best practices that you can implement when working from home.
- Follow your organization’s policies and procedures the same as if you were working in the office.
- Keep your home networks secure and up-to-date.
- Update default credentials on your home Wi-Fi- router to something that is unique to you.
- Encrypt your Wi-Fi using a strong password.
- Consider setting up a guest network on your router to keep work separate from personal use.
- Enable automatic updates for your router.
- Do not share or write down passwords.
- Only use authorized devices and accounts for work purposes
- If you are allowed to use a personal device, make sure that the software remains up-to-date and that the device(s) are not accessed by unauthorized individuals.
- Set up different profiles on the computer for work and personal use
- Make sure the device/ profiles have a strong and unique password.
- Lock your computer or device screen when walking away and be sure to log out when done working for the day.
- Any physical files that are kept at home should be stored in a locked cabinet when not in use and is not accessible by unauthorized individuals.
- Use a VPN to protect your internet connection when appropriate.
Additional Helpful Resources:
Cybercriminals are Exploiting Instant Messaging Platforms for Phishing Attacks
Beyond Passwords: How Multifactor Authentication Protects Your Data