Companies employing remote workers still have a responsibility to keep their employees and business-related information safe from identity theft, malware, and other online threats. With more people working from home, cybercriminals find new and sophisticated ways to distribute malware campaigns and steal sensitive data. Protect your employees and your business with these tips from Jason Kulpa.
1. Take Cyber Security Seriously
If you’re reading this, you’re probably serious about cybersecurity! But is that concern truly reflected in your company’s culture? Ensure employees know you are committed to keeping their online work transactions safe and let them know the actual steps you are taking to protect them. Scheduling a regular team meeting to discuss online security is a great start. You could even share these tips at your next meeting.
2. Separate Networks
Provide a separate WiFi network and separate devices for employees who work in remote locations. Allowing employees to use their personal devices puts crucial business data at risk.
3. Step Up Your Login
We all know the importance of changing passwords frequently and using unique passphrases for different accounts, but how often do we do it? Make it an official protocol to change passwords monthly and encourage employees to be creative with their passwords. Simply adding a zero at the end of a previous passphrase is not enough.
Setting up two-factor logins adds another layer of protection. Standard options for the second source of identification are fingerprint scan, email, or text confirmation. With a multi-factor authorization, you and your employee will be protected even if a passphrase is compromised.
4. Stress Privacy
Make sure employees understand the importance of locking and storing company devices when not in use. Only approved users—not family members—should have access. If working in a public place, such as a coffee shop, employees should never leave their devices unattended for prying eyes to see. And speaking of public places, make sure employees understand the security dangers involved with using public Wi-Fi. Provide them with a VPN or personal hotspot instead.
5. Watch Those Emails and Texts
There are several easy ways to send quick messages these days, which also means there are many ways to hack those communications. Make it a company policy to never share sensitive data through email or text messaging.
6. Keep It on the Cloud
Make it a company practice to use cloud-based data backup for everything. If theft or loss does occur, at least the information will be accessible.
7. Be Cautious with Client Meetings
If a remote-based worker must meet with clients, never ask them to take the meeting solo or at their home. Arrange to meet in a public area with a co-worker or even a friend present.
Following these tips will increase the safety of your remote workers and the data they are working on. Don’t forget to set a good example. When the team sees you taking online protocols seriously, they will do it too.
About Jason Kulpa
Jason Kulpa and his teams volunteer at numerous San Diego events to improve and support their community. Jason is a two-time winner of the Most Admired CEO Award of the San Diego Business Journal and a semi-finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur award.