How to work remotely safely

Remote working is the method of employees fulfilling their jobs from a location other than a central office operated by the employer. Locations can include: for example their own home, an employee’s home, a co-working or other shared spaces, a private office, or any other place outside of the corporate office.

Virtual teams rely on a reliable internet speed and connection that can support intensive use and collaboration with colleagues and managers. Remote staff need to be able to work together as if they were all in the same location – which requires secure, high-quality applications and platforms for technologies like chat, videoconferencing, file sharing, remote desktops, and other business needs.

With working remotely in mind, employers and employees need to ensure they are working safely with devices and networks that will protect their own and their client’s data and personal information.

Below we look at some ways you can safely work remotely.

Use a Secure Network

It is important to note that using a shared internet connection can impose significant danger on your data. Hackers can easily gain access to unsecure networks; for example – in restaurants/cafes and public libraries. Viruses can also easily be transmitted when using unsecure networks, it is always safer to use your connection from home or use a dongle when out and about.

Use a Virtual Private Network

Virtual Private Networks, also known as VPNs for short, let you make a secure connection to another network over the internet, allowing you to access network resources remotely. Using a VPN can give you the confidence all personal information stored between the networks is protected.

Protect your devices with Cyber-Security

Cybersecurity is the process of protecting and recovering devices that hold your personal information and/or customer data. Cybersecurity is crucial because it safeguards all types of data against theft and loss. Sensitive data, Protected Health Information (PHI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), intellectual property, personal information, data, and government and business information systems are all included.

Use a Password Manager

A password manager is used to store all passwords securely, so you don’t have to worry about remembering them. This allows the user to create strong and complex passwords for all important accounts (rather than using the same password for them).

Use Company Devices

Using company devices allows the business much better control over all the connected devices across the network (even IoT devices) that are for work purposes. The IT team are also able to access devices in case of emergencies or if any additional technical support is needed.

For help with your Cyber-Security contact our team at Magnetar IT!