The change to flexible working has many benefits for both companies and employees but also has some downsides. One of the greatest is the increased risk of cyberattacks. Employees working at home possess a greater risk as training can be lacking on cybersecurity, electronic communication, or computer security. Here are some tips on how to increase your cybersecurity while flexible working.
Use the Right Technology
Manually checking and keeping on top of your cybersecurity can only take you so far. Using advanced automated systems that continuously monitor and mitigate securities risks will significantly increase your security. Also, consider your use of passwords as using the same or having a weak password will expose you to higher risk. Using biometrics in conjunction with strong password protection is essential for preventing data theft.
Biometrics authentication is a convenient way to access your password and is now widely used from logging in to your bank accounts online or over the phone and Facebook automatic photo-tagging to voice assistants and authorizing payments while using Apple Pay. ExpressVPN’s article, which discusses the risk of biometrics, outlines what safety measures you should take, including the use of technologies to prevent third parties from intercepting your biometric data.
Dedicated Work Laptops
Cyberattacks against businesses have significantly increased over the past few years. It is estimated that 64% of companies globally have encountered at least one cyberattack, and every 39 seconds, there is a new attack online, according to TechJury. Where possible, a business should provide staff who flexi-work with a dedicated work laptop, not to be used for personal reasons. That way, it can be configured and programmed with all the necessary safety and security measures. Of course, this is not always possible for smaller companies, where staff may be required to use personal computers for remote working.
This opens up a greater risk to attacks such as malware. In this situation, it is advisable to set up a VPN (Virtual private network), which means laptops and home computers can connect securely with other employees and company programs. Keep in mind that you still need to remain vigilant against scams like phishing emails.
Security Education
Whether you are self-employed or own a business, education is critical. Both companies and individuals should take time to educate themselves and staff on the latest potential cybersecurity risks and the best forms of prevention and protection. Some most common cybersecurity risks are:
- Phishing scams: Install antivirus protection and don’t ever click on links or open emails that seem suspicious.
- Passwords: Fox News reported that passwords were the biggest cyber threat to individuals in 2021. Password managers can retrieve and manage passwords securely by creating random passwords for you that are a lot more secure and stored in a vault.
- Data breaches: Log off from your computer while it’s unattended, it is a simple step but very effective.
- Advertisements: Install an ad blocker for security against malicious advertisements or malvertising containing spyware.
With these tips, you should be well prepared for working away from the office and confident in the knowledge that you have an awareness of the latest cybersecurity threats.
