Six Tips for Working from Home Securely

The shift from employees occasionally working from home to consistently working from home has driven the necessity for more in-home IT security measures. Fortunately, these in-home security measures exist to enforce the safety of your company’s sensitive information.

The following tips can help you and your employees secure work-from-home environments, which have essentially become your satellite offices:

·     Antivirus and Security Software – There should be at least one third-party antivirus security software installed. Now, antivirus software is often referred to as endpoint protection because it encompasses much more than just antivirus protection. It’s particularly important for devices such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other wireless devices connecting to a company’s network from a remote location, including the home.

·     Password Protection and Tracking – Make sure all devices are password-protected. Passwords should be a minimum of 12 characters that combine numbers, symbols, and upper- and lower-case letters. Do not use the same passwords over and over again. Since many unique passwords can be challenging to remember, consider using a password protection app such as LastPass to encrypt, and safely track passwords.

·     Secure Home Networks – Be sure to password protect your router and secure your WiFi. Never leave passwords on their default settings and avoid writing them down on paper that could easily be seen by someone else. Ensure that all devices have different passwords. Ideally, you should never use public WiFi when working remotely. If you do, make sure that you have additional security features in place. 

·     Use a Protective Firewall – A firewall comes with your router, but it needs to be enabled in order to be active. Right away, it’s important to make sure you update the settings from default and lock the firewall down with a secure password. You should also consider having an additional firewall installed for protection.

·     Protect Devices – Stay aware of your electronic devices. Never leave them unattended or unlocked. The number one best practice is to make sure you have your devices set up with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint to unlock the device. Additionally, install a GPS tracking system that can locate your smartphone or other devices if missing. For example, the “Find My” phone or device or “Lookout Mobile Security and Antivirus” application and services also enable the ability to wipe the device remotely, should it become lost or stolen. 

·     Continue to Update and Follow Company Security Policies – Credit card and identity thieves are in every neighborhood. Employees still need to follow your company’s security policy regarding shredding, frequency of password changes, and be sure always to keep your security patches up-to-date. 

Staff members working from home can compromise your company’s Internet safety. Be sure and update your security policies due to recent events. 

By partnering with a managed IT services provider, you’ll have access to the cybersecurity experts you need to support your employees in managing and maintaining their home networks and device security.

Contact us for help, guidance, and support. Midnight Blue and our dedicated team of experts are ready to support you, your business, and your employees.