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Last Updated on January 31, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
Working from home is a dream for a lot of people, but there are a number of issues that you need to take into consideration when taking the leap from office worker to home-worker. It’s not all about making sure your work mentality doesn’t wander simply because you’re surrounded by your creature comforts. It’s also about making sure that you are keeping updated with the security issues of your employer and making sure that you are maintaining your security protocols. It’s all too easy to fall behind with the latest security updates, so here are the best 4 ways to make sure you remain as protected as possible when working from home.
Keep your devices safe
Obviously you look after your devices at all times anyway, but there’s no reason not to be extra aware when you’re handling work data as well as your own private information. Whether it’s your phone, tablet or laptop, a thief is going to have access to a lot of private data if they get hold of your phone, so it’s imperative that you maintain good device security at all times. Leaving your phone somewhere is mortifying at the best of times, but left alone when you have access to the accounts department of your office can be detrimental to your business.
Password Hygiene
All employees with access to company data need to have lessons on password management and protocol. It’s a sad fact that the majority of people are very lax with their password decisions, and so it is vital that you learn the best ways to select a password. Good password security is simply your best way to protect yourself against malicious hacking attempts, and having a strong password is the only way to make sure that you are digitally protected.
Firewall protection
Although most home routers include a standard firewall as part of their design, these are often the most basic of protections available. Having a more robust router such as those provided by Sonic Wall will increase your security significantly, and also provides tools such as advanced monitoring. The benefits of a Sonic Wall also include the ability for more focused customer response, so in the case of an emergency, you are not left on hold by the customer service advisor of a home internet provider. Having a dedicated firewall in place is key in your online security set-up.
Limit access and stay updated
Not every employee needs access to every file and folder, and it makes sense to restrict access to only those that require it. That way you are minimizing the potential access points for criminals to break into your system and cause damage. By restricting your employee access, you can also optimize your security software, making sure that it not only always remains updated, but also that it isn’t being accidentally circumvented by staff members who don’t need to be using it.
Although basic online security is a seemingly small element to your home-working life, it’s more important than ever in these days of increased cyber-threats. Only by remaining vigilant and making sure that we are protected as much as possible can we ensure the safety and security of our business, no matter where we are.
