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Keep Your Data Safe While Working Remotely

Story by DREW WOOLLEY

Working from home is no longer uncommon. As access to high-speed internet and tools for remote collaboration become more widespread, employers are increasingly warming to the idea of letting people get out of the office at least a few days a week.

The comfort and accessibility of remote work mean it isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. But it can also introduce new challenges like security concerns. Whether you’re taking your laptop to the nearby coffee shop or setting up a work station at home, keep these guidelines in mind to make sure your work is secure wherever you are.

Stay Updated

When you see an alert about a new software update, don’t wait to install it. Among other things, these updates often close security loopholes that malware can use to get access to your data. It’s also important to have an antivirus program installed that can protect your devices from the latest viruses, spyware and phishing scams.

DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

Speaking of phishing scams, it’s important to be extra alert when working remotely. Bogus emails can hit an office just as easily as your home computer, but it’s easier to spot a fake when the co-worker supposedly asking for sensitive information is in the same room as you. Always make sure your devices are secure outside the office, and be sure to double check any suspicious requests directly.

Protect Work Devices

Working from home often means exposing your work devices to kids or other family members who may not be as careful about security measures as you are. Take steps to make sure others aren’t using your work devices or accidentally seeing sensitive information. Also, try to avoid doing work on personal devices that may not be as well-secured.

Keep Your Vpn On

Many companies use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to help employees communicate securely via an encrypted network. If your employer does the same, it’s important to stay connected for as long as you’re working. Dropping that virtual defense could open the door for someone to steal important information.

Stay In The Cloud

Not only do cloud applications receive regular security updates, but saving your work to cloud storage creates a shared backup of all your work. That way, even if local files on your device are lost, corrupted or stolen, you’ll still have access to everything.

Make Videoconferences Private

The popularity of videoconferencing apps like Zoom has skyrocketed in recent years as more teams collaborate from afar. But a digital meeting space comes with additional security considerations. To prevent unwanted visitors from listening in or even trying to intimidate people, consider requiring a password for calls or keeping any new arrivals in a waiting room.

Up Your Password Game

Strong passwords are always important, but they’re even more crucial when you’re working remotely. A password manager can help you keep track of numerous strong passwords, which should generally be at least 12 characters and contain letters, numbers and symbols. If that’s too much to keep up with, consider using favorite song lyrics, movie quotes or other phrases that are easy to remember but more complex than your dog’s name.