As more and more workers adapt to working from home, we are sure to see a few hiccups as we all adjust to a new way of life. Let’s make sure that none of those hiccups involve a network security breach that could negatively impact your company.
Create a clear guide. If you already have a written guide on standard security protocol, update it to reflect any changes necessitated by a work-from-home scenario. If you haven’t yet created a guide on proper security procedures, now is the time. The guide should clearly state expected guidelines for each program accessed remotely.
Each worker should know what to do in the event of a data breach or device loss. Events that impact company security should be reported immediately, so that the proper steps can be taken to minimize impact.
Review WiFi security procedures with remote workers. In the office, you controlled the security of your office network. But those working remotely might not be clear on expectations regarding their home WiFi connections. Make sure your employees are accessing the internet from their own connection only; sharing with neighbors or signing into a public network exposes you all to unnecessary risk. Home Wifi connections should be protected by a strong password and firewall. Remind employees that their network is only as secure as each individual using it.
Utilize two-factor authentication, when possible. Your cloud and any other shared programs should utilize two-factor authentication, whenever available, to increase their level of security.
Review your VPN settings. If you use a VPN, check to be sure it can accommodate this new situation. You might be limited to a certain number of users, or you might need additional bandwidth or licensing to reflect the changes in how you’re doing business.
Protect devices. The positive side of our current “shelter in place” situation is that your employees are unlikely to be traveling very much. This reduces risk of device loss or theft. But still, require each worker to protect their devices with strong passwords and turn on data encryption. Remind them that installing security patches when prompted will reduce the risk of a security breach.
If you have any questions about internet security as employees transition to remote working, we’re here to help. Call us at 888-RING-MY-TECH and we can help guide you through this transition.
