4 Quick Tips for Staying Secure while Working Remotely

Being productive “on the go” should not sacrifice data security! 

Here are four simple tips to keep company data secure and confidential.

1 - Use Personal Hot-Spots and Mobile Tethering if out of your home, PUBLIC wifi is not for your PRIVATE Business

As a primary means of connectivity in public, use a personally owned or company provided cellular hot-spot or mobile phone capable of tethering. Public hotspots are typically wide-open and provide little to no privacy for you or other connected clients. Additionally, encrypting your connection in transit via VPN or other secure service will provide an extra layer of security to your connection. Many services such as RDP, HTTPS and SSH include encryption as a part of the service direction and do not require additional VPN or other encryption services to secure in-transit data.

2 - Work data should reside EXCLUSIVELY on work devices!

Resist the urge to reach for that convenient family Chromebook or iPad to check or respond to some emails! Your personal devices are not the ideal device for your business to be properly conducted.  Regular updates to the operating system, antivirus and anti-malware software and data connection encryption services are likely already on your work device. If you work at an organization with an efficient IT team, they may be installing regular updates, running antivirus scans, blocking malicious sites, etc., and these activities may be transparent to you.

3 - Visually, Protect your Screen(s)

In full transparency, I do not even have to leave my house to be “shoulder surfed.” I have young children who are learning the rules of privacy for others. We all know that there are adults who are a bit more that “inquisitive” about what you are doing on your device(s). Privacy filters are an excellent way to safeguard your screen but realistically the best practice of visually protecting your screen(s) is to know your surroundings. Visually lay out the most private area for you to complete your task and claim it. Turn your screen to face a wall or an empty booth seat so no others can see what is on your display.

Maintain custody of your devices at all times while in public; do not leave your device unattended. Theft of the device as a whole is possible but more disturbing is the possibility of someone using a USB hosted application to strip information from your device while you are refilling that soda or taking a restroom break.

4 - Encrypt Personal Devices and take advantage of data protection services your company can provide!

Take advantage of the services your company offers to you! These safeguards level the playing field for your IT Support Services teams to best serve you and protect confidential company data. Ask your helpdesk if you are fully leveraging services and solutions your company can offer.