The holidays are almost here! It’s a delight for many to travel during the holiday season. Many will also work remotely while they are out. But with remote work and travel come increased security risks. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept more vulnerability during this time. You can be proactive and prepare your team to stay safe wherever they are. Here are 5 simple security measures you can even add to an email to employees who plan on working from home during the holiday season.
5 Security Measures for Remote Workers
Avoid Using Unfamiliar Hotspots
While it is certainly tempting to use public hotspots when traveling, do everything you can to avoid doing sensitive business online when connected to one. Banking and shopping while on an unfamiliar and unsecured internet connection can result in stolen credit card information, account information, or other losses of data security. Public wifi hotspots are notoriously vulnerable to hackers and may even be created with the purpose of giving hackers easy access to unsuspecting users’ computers. So before connecting to a public hotspot such as those available on airplanes, at airports, hotels, or in a café, make sure that the name of the network and login procedures are in line with what you expect from the location. This is to confirm that the network is legitimate. For example, if you connect to a network that does not require a password but the café requires customers to make a purchase prior to using the wifi, chances are that the network is not safe.
Update All Anti-Virus Software Before You Leave Home
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself on the road is making sure your anti-virus software and security updates are current. This will help ensure that your devices are free from pre-existing malware or viruses prior to leaving town. Additionally, consider clearing your web history and cookies before leaving town. Cookies and browsing history are easily accessed when on a public wifi network and can provide hackers with information that could be used in fraudulent transactions.
Be A Smart Browser
When traveling and using unfamiliar or unsecured internet connections, try to any potentially sensitive online activities, including online shopping, banking, or confidential work. If you must do one of the above actions, only use secure sites that begin with https://. Your team may even want to consider using their mobile network connection when they’re on the go rather than a public wireless network to do any necessary but sensitive data management. Mobile networks are still generally considered to be more secure than public networks.
Remember to Back Up Files
Equally important to your data security is taking the time to back up your files from the devices you will be taking with you when traveling. Any loss of data while on the road may be temporarily inconvenient, but at least you know you will have access again as soon as you are back in the office. Damage to devices is far more likely to occur when traveling as well, so make sure you save the important information from your hardware in a safe place, just in case.
Beware of Visual Theft
Visual hacking of information on mobile devices can take place almost anywhere and to anyone, not just your remote workers. But for those team members who are more likely to be accessing sensitive information while in public, make sure that they have access to screen protectors that make it more difficult for passersby to view the content on screen, or to simply avoid displaying confidential information in a public place.
Happy Faces Records Management offers a wide range of data protection services, including digital archiving. We can help you and your team keep your data safe and secure whether they’re in the office or home for the holidays. Call today.
