Working from home offers many benefits, ranging from a more flexible schedule that lets you prioritize ease to a more familiar, stress-free environment that allows you to focus on your tasks more efficiently and be more productive. However, just because you’re able to be more relaxed doesn’t mean that you should be lax when it comes to your cybersecurity standards. In fact, now that more and more features are online, hackers and cybercriminals have intensified their efforts and are seeking increasingly creative ways to access vulnerable data. Bank accounts are targeted most often, but personal credentials are sought after as well.
To make sure that you don’t end up unwillingly contributing to a data breach, here are a few things you should take into account when you begin working from home.
Have strong passwords
The importance of strong passwords is frequently neglected, and unfortunately so, because they are the first line of defense when it comes to dealing with hackers. However, to ensure the codes are strong enough to withstand an attack, they must be complex and entirely random. Some advise their employees to switch to new passwords every three months or so, but others have found this strategy to be detrimental in the long run, as the quality of the passwords tends to drop the more they are changed.
That’s why it is important to create a strong password from the very beginning. Keeping up with all of them will be difficult if you try to do it yourself, which is why you should consider using a reliable password manager to help you keep track of them. The most suitable tool is the one that is protected by end-to-end encryption so that nobody else has access to this sensitive information unless you choose to share it. There are instances where you might have to share passwords with fellow members of your team, situations in which a password manager is similarly helpful, since it lets you transfer the information without worrying that it might be intercepted by an unauthorized party.
Multi-factor authentication needs to be enabled when you work from home as well, especially if you’re using the same internet network or the same device you have for personal use. Make sure you only over utilize a professional email for work-related tasks though, so that there’s no overlap between the different areas even if you use the same computer.
Phishing
Phishing is a very common kind of cyberattack that most Internet users are aware of, yet it still succeeds in fulfilling its purpose more often than not. The attackers impersonate trusted entities, most commonly banks or companies, via email, text, or even phone calls to convince victims to reveal sensitive data or install malware on their computers, allowing them to achieve their goals later.
Their aim is to create a sense of urgency by convincing you that something bad will happen unless you act quickly. This typically means that you have no time to think about the situation clearly and end up acting on impulse and out of fear. Threat actors are well aware that more people than ever are working remotely, and they know these individuals could be vulnerable and relatively easy to exploit.
If you believe that you fell victim to a phishing attempt, make sure to contact your workplace’s cybersecurity department immediately, as access to a single account could destabilize the entire network.
Offline tips
It’s not just the online world that could pose a threat to cybersecurity. Being careful about what happens offline is just as important. For instance, if you happen to travel and work at the same time, make sure your devices are never left unsupervised, whether in your car, a hotel room, or any public space where they could be snatched. Sensitive information can be accessed in this manner as well. Make sure that nobody at home accesses your device for personal browsing, either, no matter how harmless it might seem.
All it takes is clicking on one wrong link for things to fall apart completely. Don’t write your passwords down, and reduce paper-handling as much as you can. Using a screen protector can reduce the risk of shoulder surfing in public spaces. All workplace conversations should be kept discreet, and your workstation should ideally be locked when you’re away from home. While it might seem excessive to some, the truth is that being careful could save you a lot of trouble. Lastly, be careful when sharing any kind of information about your workplace and with whom you’re sharing it.
Data backups
Regular data backups are an absolute must that every business seeking continuity and robust performance will prioritize first and foremost. Data loss due to cyberattacks or human error is common, and its effects can be incredibly destructive. Customer trust is often eroded by such events, and companies frequently face issues with regulatory compliance, recovery, and downtime. Regular backups are the only way to prevent this scenario.
Having backups can protect you from other events that can cause data to become lost, such as theft, floods, and fires. Server crashes and hard drive failures can occur when you work from home as well, and they’re typically highly unpredictable. Legal mandates also require data protection, so regular backups are a must to avoid the complex issues that could arise if you fail to do so. Ensuring backups are in order is also crucial for reducing costs.
To conclude, while working from home comes with a plethora of undeniable benefits, it’s important not to get too relaxed in your approach. Cybersecurity remains crucial regardless of where you are. In fact, it’s even more important when you work from home, as you’re the one who’s fully responsible for the safety of the data you’re working with. Should something go wrong, you’ll have to provide the first response, and that’s a complex duty that you need to be prepared for.
