5 security tips for remote working
Remote working is on the rise with more and more people needing or choosing to work away from the office.
Faster internet speeds and advances in technology have meant we’re able to work efficiently from different locations and in 2016 a Trade Union Congress (TUC) study revealed a 19% increase in people working from home over a decade period.
It has been predicted that by 2020, 42% of the global workforce will be mobile. So, with this increase in remote working comes the inevitable… increased security risks. Most businesses have security measures in place to secure the office but it is essential that these procedures are enforced outside of the office too to ensure their security and data are safe. Here are some of our top security tips for remote working.
Encrypt Emails
A simple and effective way of protecting employees when outside the office is for businesses to ensure they encrypt emails. Unfortunately it seems phishing scams and spam are here to stay, however encrypting emails helps fend off cyber-attackers. By encrypting emails, you ensure the content is protected and scrambled meaning any sensitive data can only be seen by the intended recipient.
Only share sensitive data on secure connections
One problem working away from your secure office Wi-Fi connection is that other locations may not be as safe. Unsecure connections can be dangerous and working in places such as coffee shops or on trains can put data at risk. As a rule of thumb, sensitive topics should not be shared over connections which are not secure – save this for connections you trust.
Passwords. Passwords. Passwords.
We can’t stress this one enough. If employees are working remotely, out and about in towns and cities, laptops are of course at risk of being stolen or left behind. Here, the need for strong passwords comes into play and teaching employees the importance of having a strong password could be the difference between your company data being breached and remaining safe.
Up-to-date security protection
Firewalls, device encryption, anti-virus software etc. should be installed and kept up-to-date on the devices that employees use out of the office – including mobile phones, and tablets, not just laptops. This means running regular software updates and reminding the workforce of the importance of up-to-date applications. Claritas can offer advice on the best security solutions available and can help your business stay on top of information security best practices, whether employees are doing their job in or out of the office.
Be wary of USB devices
Finally, USBs and other similar removable devices can be a threat to computers as they can harbour malware. Before using such devices, you should be sure that they are not infected – I.T. departments and professionals like Claritas can check this. Something to be particularly careful of is letting someone external plug into your computer with a USB as you can’t be sure that this hasn’t been infected, even if the owner is oblivious. It’s always good to be cautious and before you use USBs make sure to run them past someone who can check for anything potentially harmful.
If you have concerns or queries about your remote security, get in touch with us for advice. And for more I.T. and tech related tips you can follow Claritas on social media.
