FocusTech Insider June 2024 – Technologist

Having your employees work from home or their local coffee shop is the norm now. And while there are loads of benefits to this new attitude to work, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of keeping operations secure: The home setups of remote employees.

Here’s the thing – neglecting remote security can lead to some serious headaches down the line. And you already have enough business headaches, right?

Imagine this: Your employee’s laptop, which holds loads of sensitive company data, gets breached because their home Wi-Fi network wasn’t properly secured.

Or worse, a malware infection spreads from their kid’s device to their work laptop, putting your entire network at risk. That’s scary.

A little vigilance and regular checks can prevent these risks and make your business and its data much safer.

So, let’s talk about devices. Encourage your remote workers to treat their work devices like Fort Knox. That means regular updates and patches, robust protective software, and strong, unique passwords (password managers are your best friend for this). Remind them to avoid risky behaviours like downloading software from unofficial sources or clicking on suspicious links.

Next, address home networks. A weak Wi-Fi password is asking for trouble. Encourage your employees to set a strong password for their home network (again, a password manager can remove this hassle). And while they’re at it, remind them to enable encryption and hide their network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) to add an extra layer of security.

And it’s not just about devices and networks – physical security matters too. Use biometrics to protect logins. Remind your team to keep their work devices secure when they’re not in use, whether that means locking them away in a drawer or simply keeping them out of sight from prying eyes. And if they’re working from a shared space like a coffee shop, remind them to be cautious of public Wi-Fi and to keep an eye on their belongings.

Regular checks are key to staying on top of security. Schedule routine audits of remote set-ups to ensure everything gets a thumbs up. This could include checking for software updates, reviewing network configurations, and providing refresher training on best security practices.