4 tips for ensuring security in remote work
Remote work has shifted the responsibility for computer, internet connection, and data security onto the shoulders of many employees. Not all companies have been able to provide quality IT support or even the necessary equipment for work.
Since work doesn't wait and must be done even in unusual circumstances, the only option is to solve computer and security-related issues independently. It's clear that not everyone will manage to establish bank-level security, but for most, this won't be necessary. Financial institutions have professionals to handle this task. For everyone else, a few important recommendations should be followed.
1. Create a secure network
Data security at home starts with creating a secure network. This means protecting your home WiFi with a password so that neighbors and outsiders cannot connect to it. Often, this issue is resolved by the internet service provider, which provides a router with a password that is usually a rather difficult-to-remember string of numbers and letters. Thus, the user's task is simply not to remove this protection and not to connect guest devices to their network unnecessarily.
The next step is installing a virtual private network (VPN) program. These solutions, which typically need to be purchased as a one-time purchase or subscribed to as a service, encrypt the information sent from your computer to the work server or colleagues. Even if someone intercepts the transmission, using the stolen data becomes significantly more challenging. Essentially, VPN acts as a fortified tunnel within your home network. While other household members exchange data in a less secure environment, your information is better protected.
If the company has not provided a VPN program for employees and you don't want to invest your own money, the safest solution is to connect not to the home WiFi network but to the mobile network provided by your work phone. This already includes data protection and encryption, and some smartphone brands have built-in VPN solutions. However, you should ensure that the connection includes unlimited data usage, as any limit will be quickly exceeded.
2. Regularly update programs
Since cybercriminals are constantly working on creating new viruses, software developers also strive to protect their products from the latest malware. Therefore, it is very important to ensure not only the regular updating of antivirus programs but also obtaining the latest versions of all applications used daily. This doesn't mean starting your day by checking whether program versions are outdated. Computers usually inform users about available updates, and settings can be adjusted to allow automatic updates without requiring consent each time.
Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system users should transition to newer products, no matter how convenient and beloved the current system may seem. Simply put, the developer no longer ensures the security of older systems, making them poorly protected against cyberattacks.
It is mandatory to use a good antivirus program that promptly "catches" attackers and warns if you have wandered into an unsafe website.
3. Learn cybersecurity
Every remote worker should have basic knowledge of cybersecurity. If this hasn't been done yet, companies can send employees to appropriate training. Nowadays, these are mostly conducted online, allowing employees to enhance their knowledge without leaving home. Additionally, service providers can arrange for training sessions at times convenient for the team.
Equally important is activating critical thinking in the digital space and analyzing whether everything offered or requested online is truly safe. This applies to dubious emails from supposed benefactors and "your bank," as well as offers to download music, movies, games, or other "goodies" for free from websites that are not the official pages of the product owners. History teaches that trying to save a few euros can result in spending hundreds or even thousands on resolving issues caused by viruses.
4. Store data backups in the cloud
Even if you have ensured the security of your computer and network, it is best to store important data backups on an external storage device or a reliable cloud storage service that offers data encryption. Cloud storage is an even better option because it allows storing multiple backups. If something unfortunate happens to one server, the information can be retrieved from another. On the other hand, if an external hard drive is damaged or lost, the data will no longer be recoverable.