The push towards remote work has had many benefits, including employees who are more satisfied and more productive. Unfortunately, it’s also led to some digital security risks for companies. If your employees are not just working in their homes and might be doing work in a coffee shop or other shared workspace, there are special considerations that need to be made. Here are some of the security risks of working in a public place and how to stay secure.
Unsecured Networks
Some employers wrongly assume that all of their employees have access to reliable, secure Internet. Especially if you are not providing them with an Internet stipend or the infrastructure necessary to make that happen, they also might not be able to afford it. This can push some workers to complete their jobs in Internet cafés, coffee shops, and other places that have unsecured networks.
Over 60% of Wi-Fi-related security incidents happen on public networks, so encouraging your employees to work from home and providing them with the tools to do so is a great idea to avoid security risks.
Sharing Computers
Do you have any sort of policy that requires employees to do their work on a separate computer? Some businesses do not provide their employees with dedicated work computers, which means that the device they are using for sensitive emails and internal memos might be the same one that they are using to send personal emails later in the day or play video games. If you want to limit your security risks, make sure that you provide employees with their own computers so that they do not need to share.
Performing Sensitive Activities
Even if you take steps to secure your employee laptops and only use Wi-Fi that is secured with a password, performing any sensitive activities in a public place is still dangerous. The best cybersecurity in the world cannot stop someone from glancing over at the screen! Avoid doing anything sensitive or with proprietary information in a public place, including banking, typing in passwords, or performing sensitive work.
Remote Connectivity
Do your employees leave Bluetooth and remote connectivity open when working on their devices in public places? This could lead them to accidentally connect to another network that is unsafe or have someone attempt to gain access to their device. Always have remote connectivity, AirDrop, and Bluetooth disabled.
Ignoring Security Practices
Finally, some employees create security risks working in public by not thinking about basic security. For example, do your employees leave their laptop on the table where someone could pick it up as they order a drink from the barista? Are they speaking loudly on the phone in a coffee shop or other public space? Many of these things might seem like they are logical and straightforward, but it’s good to give your employees a refresher and keep things in mind when you are in public.
How Can You Reduce Security Risks When Working in a Public Place?
- Provide your employees with a stipend or benefit that will give them a separate work computer and a secure network that they can work on at home so that they do not need to use the Internet in coffee shops or shared places
- Always keep all of your devices patched and fully up-to-date to close any open doors that are known risks
- Require employees to complete security training when they start working with you and on an annual basis to make sure that they still understand threats
- Work with a company like Nauticon to help identify and manage your risk and take care of potential security risks proactively
- Make sure that all of your tech policies and security policies are completely clear and not up for interpretation, as vague or absent guidance may leave you compromised
- Have detailed password standards that include characters, letters, and numbers and force your employees to change their passwords every 90 days
- Ensure that all of your employees understand what to do in the event that something may have been comprised. Mere minutes can have an impact on the severity of your security risks, so acting fast to report issues is the best way to protect your company
- Enable two-factor identification for all critical applications
Partner with Nauticon to Get Access to Tools to Manage Your Security Risks That Meet Your Needs
Nauticon is a leading provider of managed services, workflow solutions and other office technology solutions that can transform your workspace and help you resolve common office printer problems. If you are looking for a better way to meet your office’s needs, we are here to help. To learn more about our company and see how we can bring innovative, real-world solutions for your office’s needs to you, contact us today by calling (301) 279-0123.
