Cybersecurity

Building a Secure Work-From-Home Fortress

Post by
Net Friends Icon
Net Friends
Building a Secure Work from Home Fortress Thumbnail graphic

Remember the three little pigs and their battle against the big bad wolf? Well, they are back with more cybersecurity wisdom to fortify your business! Missed their first adventure? Check out “The Three Little Pigs' Guide to SMB Cybersecurity."  

In our previous tale, Pig One embodies weak security. Easily blown down, just like a straw house. Pig Two improves, but their open-door approach leaves data vulnerable. Our hero, Pig Three, prioritizes robust cybersecurity by regularly updating policies and practices.

This time, we will focus on building a strong Work-From-Home policy that stands as a brick wall against cyber threats!

A Clean Desk Policy

The office has a secure network. A Clean Desk Policy (CDP) extends that fortress to your home workspace. It is like fortifying your brick house by closing windows, locking doors, and keeping valuables safe.

Clean Desk Policy Micrographic with little pig holding secure laptop in front of desk

A CDP outlines how employees secure their workstations at the end of the day, minimizing data breaches and unauthorized access. Think Pig Three's secure brick house - protecting information, not just from cyber threats, but also accidental harm.

A strong Clean Desk Policy should include:

Clean Desk Policy Checklist
Clean Desk Policy Checklist

1. Securing Your Home Network

Just like Pig Three would not settle for flimsy straw, remote workers should not rely on weak defenses. Here is how to fortify your employees’ work-from-home network:

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Your VPN functions as a hidden passage or secure tunnel connecting your remote worker's device directly to your company's network. A VPN encrypts all data flowing through this tunnel, scrambling it into gibberish for anyone trying to eavesdrop on public Wi-Fi. Using a company-provided VPN is essential for remote workers who frequent cafes, airports, or other public hotspots.

Net Friends Pro Tip:

Secure your Wi-Fi! Change the default router name & password.

Think of encryption as Pig Three's secure brick house. It scrambles your data, making it unreadable without a decryption key. Imagine a suit of armor protecting your information from prying eyes. Most modern routers offer encryption options like WPA2 or WPA3. These act as your shield, deflecting attempts to intercept sensitive data like emails, documents, and financial information.

By following these steps, your home network transforms from a straw house into a secure brick fortress for remote workers.  

2. Building a Backup Plan

Pig Three did not just build a strong brick house, he planned for the unexpected. In the work-from-home world, that means building redundancy and resiliency into the blueprint. Pig Three can stay proactive with a backup plan that keeps him productive even when things go wrong.

At home, you are relying on personal equipment and networks, which may not be as robust as office setups. Imagine a crucial video call dropping because your home office circuit cannot handle the load.

Some things to consider when you are creating your home office space:  

  • Consider an electrical consultation to ensure your home office can handle all your devices without overloading the circuit.
  • A UPS acts as a battery backup, providing temporary power during outages, allowing you to save your work and shut down safely.
  • Is Your Internet Solid? Not all internet connections are created equal. Check with your Internet Service Provider to ensure you are getting the advertised speeds and using a good quality router. Consider having a professional check your home's cabling for any weak spots.
  • Have a backup plan for lost power or internet. Test your mobile hotspot functionality and ensure you have sufficient storage space on backup devices.
  • Develop a plan for unexpected downtime in your neighborhood. Identify a secondary location, like a co-working space or a colleague's office, where you can work temporarily.

3. IT Security Checklist

This serves as a daily ritual, with a set of clear steps employees follow before leaving their desks. Locking computers, logging out of applications, and securely storing sensitive documents become second nature, minimizing the risk of a "drive-by" data breach.

4. Strong Password & Multi-Factor Identification

We have talked about this before: strong, unique passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) are your digital wolf spray. To build a password brick house, ditch birthdays, pets, and predictable phrases. Instead, craft a 12+ character passphrase with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Think "NoWolvesAllowed19!@" – complex, unique, and unbreakable.

Net Friends Pro Tip:

Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

And for that extra layer of security, there is MFA. Imagine a secondary lock on your door that requires a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan. Even if someone cracks your password, they cannot get in without that extra verification step. MFA adds another hurdle for intruders, making your brick house even tougher to breach.

A good CDP reinforces these practices and encourages the use of strong passwords, password managers, and MFA.  

5. Security and Software Protection

Just like reinforcing a brick wall with mortar, keeping software updated is crucial for a secure home network. A Clean Desk Policy can play a key role here by establishing a regular update schedule and reminding employees to install them.

Why are updates so important? They often include security patches – digital fixes that plug holes in software programs. These holes are like exposed cracks in your window stills and doorways, and cyber attackers love to exploit them. By keeping your operating system and applications up to date, you are making it much harder for attackers to gain access to your system.

6. Antivirus and Anti-malware

Think of antivirus and anti-malware software as digital shields, constantly on guard against cyber threats. A reputable antivirus program can detect and remove malicious software (malware) like viruses, worms, and spyware before they can wreak havoc on your device. Malware can steal your information, corrupt your files, or even take control of your computer.  

Clean Desk Policy Security Check
Clean Desk Policy Security Check

A CDP encourages employees to take advantage of company-provided security solutions or recommend reputable options for personal devices used for work.  

Net Friends Pro Tip:

Equip remote workers with company-provided devices for enhanced security.

Secure Your WFH Experience

By implementing the Clean Desk Policy, businesses can create a secure environment for both in-office and remote work. These policies become the foundation for a digital brick house, safeguarding confidential information and ensuring a smooth workflow.  

Construct your secure workspace cybersecurity infographic
Construct Your Secure Workspace

Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing battle. Staying vigilant, keeping software updated, and adopting secure habits are essential for keeping the Big Bad Wolf of cybercrime at bay. So, go forth, brave builders, and construct your own secure digital workplace! If you need help, Net Friends has experts who can help you create your custom Clean Desk Policy.

WHAT TO READ NEXT:
- Top 5 Policies to Consider for Anywhere Operations
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Adopting Anywhere Operations
- Top 5 Strategies for Managing a Hybrid Workplace

At Net Friends, we believe in the power of human expertise. While we leverage AI to enhance our content and processes, all blog posts are written and edited by our knowledgeable staff. You can trust you are getting insights directly from our team.

Contact our IT
Support Center 24/7

Option 1: Call (919) 680-3763
Option 2: Email - request@netfriends.com
Option 3: Complete the form below
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

If your support issue requires immediate assistance, please call our office. Email & web form submissions are only reviewed during business hours.