How to ensure security while working from home in lockdown period

• With employees working from home full-time, maintaining security has become a top priority for organizations.
• Some of the obvious mistakes made my people include weak passwords, using personal devices for work and leaving their systems unattended.
• With the IT department being unavailable during the lockdown, maintaining security while working from home is important.

Social distancing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. This has prompted companies to ask their employees to work from home. While this sounds doable in theory, in practice it has given rise to a range of cyber security challenges.

While the work from home (WFH) culture is not new, this is the first time that companies across different sectors have been forced to work from home on a full-time basis. This is uncharted territory, especially for mid-sized and large organizations.

The lockdown also prevents IT departments from sorting out issues with work software. This means employees have to be extra careful otherwise work will take up more time than expected.

How to ensure security while working from home

Prevent unauthorized system access

If you think cyber criminals and hackers are going to let you off the hook during these difficult times, you’re mistaken. The threat of unauthorized access is especially higher during these times since your IT helpdesk is no longer around.

To prevent unauthorized system access, follow these tips:

• Use a password to login to your computer. Make sure the password is a strong one, and not a terrible one like 12345.
• Don’t write down your passwords.
• Whenever you move away from your computer, make sure you lock it. Do this even if you live alone and don’t have anyone around.

Use authorized virtual private network (VPN)

Make sure to login to your work software using a virtual private network authorized by your organization. In most circumstances, organizations will have their own VPN setup, so make sure you can access it.

If your organization does not have a VPN, you might want to advise them to get one.

Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

Some of the worst passwords of 2019 were ‘iloveyou’, ‘12345’ and ‘princess’. If you use one of these passwords, make sure you change it to a strong one. If you get hacked, you could be left without any love or a princess.

You can also use the Google Password Checkup tool to see if your password has been compromised.

Keep software updated

Keeping your software updated is important. Software updates generally include bug fixes and security patches.

Based on your organization’s policies, there could be a slight delay in availability of updates. Make sure you know what policy is followed by your IT department.

Keep your work and personal devices separate

Don’t mix fun and work. Most organizations don’t allow personal use of work systems.

Even if your organization does not ban personal use, it’s a good security practice to keep work and personal devices separate. Even if your personal device is compromised, your work device will remain safe.

More importantly, don’t use your personal email account to share your work documents with your colleagues. Always use the official email account provided by your organization.

Maintain data backups as prescribed by your organization

Each organization follows a different data backup policy. Make sure you know what your organization recommends.

Data backups on personal devices during WFH might not be recommended, so make sure you consult your IT department first.

Beware of phishing emails and messages

Phishing scams and malicious Covid-19 links have grown from just 15 in January 2020 to 54,772 in March. If you get an email regarding masks, sanitizers and PPE, it is most likely a malicious link.

Stop and think before you click on a link.

See also:

Working from home? Here are the steps all workers and companies should take to avoid cyberattacks, according to experts

Cybersecurity experts warn that hackers are targeting people now working from home amid the coronavirus outbreak: 'They're not always as diligent'

How to use Google Password Checkup tool to protect your accounts