Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have had to adjust how they operate. To responsibly protect employees, the implementation of remote working has become the most popular (and necessary) process. However, while working from home has its benefits, employees have to be more cautious now than ever before.
If you’re working with confidential company data or with materials that require absolute secrecy, there are essential cybersecurity steps you need to take. The last thing you want is company information getting breached on your own devices.
Here are some practical measures to implement in your remote workspace:
Cybersecurity Measures
Use Strong Anti-Virus Software
While some software has built-in virus protection, they aren’t always strong enough to protect your computer from virus attacks. Remote workers should look into installing powerful antivirus software and ensure that scans are happening regularly. Virus scans will help determine any hidden malware on your device. It can be challenging to decide what the best choice is with so many different types of security software available. Many resources can help you find the best security software for your needs.
Regularly Update Your Hardware & Software
While it can be annoying having to keep up with constant software updates, it’s essential to do so as updates often release patches for security vulnerabilities. Many workers connect to their company’s systems from home, which puts the risk of being hacked at an all-time high. By keeping up with software updates, you’ll be adding more protection for company information and confidentiality.
Use a VPN
According to Forbes, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the most essential elements in keeping any data or information confidential, especially while working remotely. A VPN can protect information from hackers by encrypting all of your traffic to ensure the safety of any work-related data from a company’s internal networks.
Use Strong Passwords
Complex passwords are often ignored for fear that the user may forget them. However, a strong password is the best way to prevent cybersecurity-related issues. If creating a password with special characters with a mix of letters and numbers is too much, you can also create personalized questions if you forget. Two-step verification is another way that you can boost your security. If necessary, change your passwords as often as possible to ensure that none of your passwords become outdated.
Secure Your Wi-Fi
While working from home, it’s a good idea to secure your Wi-Fi network security. Start by making sure your Wi-Fi password and the name of your wireless network are unique to you. Try to avoid anything that can be used to identify you, such as your name or home address. You can ensure your network is encrypted by changing the security settings on your wireless configuration page. You can also limit access to specific MAC addresses for more security assurance. Always remember to keep up with the latest patches and software updates that can address any of your security concerns.
Use Company Devices
If possible, try to separate your personal devices from your work devices. Using a company device can ensure that any personal downloaded software won’t be a cybersecurity threat to work files or confidential information. You won’t have a skilled IT team looking after your personal device while you work on it when you’re at home. Having two separate devices with one specific for work can also aid in workflow management.
Secure Video Meetings
Working remotely may mean you’re going to have to rely on video conferencing software to keep up with communications. If you’re using something like Zoom for your meetings, make sure the settings are secure. The last thing you want is an uninvited person to get access through your video conference; it will put your company at risk if you’re being monitored by uninvited spectators that could listen in on information about business clients. You also don’t want to be at risk of harassment from hackers while on a video call.
Play around with your Zoom settings. Make sure meetings are private by requiring a password to enter or by monitoring access from the waiting room. Always remember to update your software to ensure there aren’t any issues pertaining to the security of your meetings.
Beware of Email Phishing
As more and more people are working remotely, the risk of email phishing has grown higher than ever. At some point, you’ve probably received a suspicious-looking email that appeared in your inbox. Now, this process has progressed into instant messages and texts as well! While IT teams can help combat phishing, it’s up to you to make sure you don’t fall victim to it when working from home. These emails or messages may be clever and sneaky, but to spot a phishing scam, always check the sender’s email address and look for spelling errors or bad grammar. Hover over any included links to see the URL, and don’t click on any links or attachments if you aren’t sure about the sender. Phishing emails can often be disguised as rewards, government documents, or warnings about suspicious activity. Always proceed with caution when dealing with these types of emails, as you don’t want to put yourself or your work information at risk of hacking.
Use Centralized Storage Solutions
Back-up systems have quickly become a necessity when working with anything virtual. A good recommendation from cloud accounting tips is to do automatic backups. While this is important when dealing with banking, it should be necessary when dealing with work, too. Using central server storage while working from home is essential in ensuring you have anything important backed up if your company is compromised. This option means more protection for important information. Familiarize yourself with the storage service, as to avoid any misplacements of documents. Cybersecurity should be heavily considered by anyone who values the safety and security of the information on their devices. Information technology companies in Winnipeg suggest you don’t wait until disaster strikes. Utilize only the best services possible when handling sensitive or confidential files to fortify your cybersecurity today.
If you would like to review your current cybersecurity measures, please contact info@redbeachadvisors.com and our consulting team can work with your organization to review your current cybersecurity.