Maintaining cybersecurity in the office requires effort and diligence. When staff work remotely, the problem is a whole lot more complicated, with various additional security measures necessary. Let’s look at remote working, and how security can be properly managed if you attend to some key best practices.
Provide Security Tools
If staff are working off-site, they’re not protected by the security measures you have on your business network unless you’ve implemented some extra tools that are designed to cover remote working. Two key tools that should be installed on remote workers’ devices are 1) antivirus software that’s up-to-date; and 2) a private VPN (virtual private network). A VPN is the perfect alternative to using public Wi-FI, since employees can access your business network securely and send and receive data without fear of it being intercepted and falling into the wrong hands.
Highlight Password Security
There are some golden rules when it comes to passwords. Never write them down. Use unique passwords for each of your accounts. Create complex passwords – or even passphrases – that are hard to crack. This should apply to all users, in the office or off-site, and staff who are working remotely should be especially rigorous about their password use.
The problem is that there are fewer reminders to do this when people are working off-site. That means best practices are prone to slipping. Make sure this doesn’t happen, and that staff working remotely are regularly reminded about the importance of password security.
Don’t Forget Physical Protections
Cybersecurity extends a lot further than software solutions and passwords. Consider the devices themselves and the physical protection they have. Hardware needs to be secured and unexamined peripheral devices need to be kept away from work hardware. As a general principle, keeping hardware that’s used for work separate from personal devices is the way to go.
The Tip of the Iceberg
Cybersecurity is a huge issue and these best practices are just some of the many that should be observed if you want to protect your business network and ensure that remote workers aren’t inadvertently compromising your cybersecurity. For advice from our security experts, give Quikteks a call at (973) 882-4644 today.