The coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdown in many parts of the world have a forced majority of IT employees into unfamiliar territory—not just remote work, but full-time working from home (WFH).

While all IT companies strive to provide uninterrupted services to their clients, it must focus on ensuring that WFH arrangements provide adequate security, productivity and protect their clients from potential WFH related risks. WFH security is not just limited to IT teams who suddenly need to secure their entire remote workforce, but for company’s employees as well who need to take their own precautions to ascertain that they are working from a secure & productive environment. This article talks about the security precautions that must be taken by IT companies to deliver uninterrupted services meeting client expectations:
Physical Security
Educate your its employees about various physical security precautions they can take to setup a robust work environment. These precautions include,
Wherever possible, carve out a separate work space in the home for WFH
Avoid offering unauthorized views of confidential information to others including family members
Ensure that the work devices are either shut down or locked (including any mobile phones) when you step away from the device
Do not allow others to share work devices (computer/phone, etc.)
Use isolation while discussing sensitive or confidential information on the phone or video conferencing
System Access
While most system access related security is implemented by IT team, they must implement stringent access policies that enable their employees to,
Do not use unauthorized personal devices to perform your work
Use strong password for devices and not share the passwords with , including family members
Ensure that the work devices are not visible to other devices in the home network
Do not add work devices to Home Group
Work and Personal Device Separation
During these times, many of other family members including kids are working and schooling from home. Following steps can be helpful for employees working from home,
Keep work and home computers separate
Do not install software related to home or schoolwork on your work computer
Don’t send work related emails from personal email accounts
Do not let other family members\kids use your work devices for any reason
Secure Connectivity
All the connections to client environment as well as company’s intranet environments should be secure. Key measures towards securing connectivity include,
Access via encrypted secure VPN connection
Secure your home Wi-Fi with a strong password
Change default username/password on home Wi-Fi router on working from home
General Security Guidelines
Many general security best practices are still relevant and important to observe during WFH arrangement.
Keep antivirus and other software signatures up to date
Do not respond to potential phishing emails and do not provide any information without verifying the sender
Limit exposure to social media and maintain typical behavior and routine
Work with central IT team to keep your OS and other software up to date and patched
Do not backup data to unauthorized cloud or personal devices
Personal Front

WFH might be a big adjustment for few people. Your first few days of WFH may leave you irritated, uncomfortable, unmotivated, or just plain exhausted. Adding security tips to the list may just add to your fatigue right now. Some of the recommendations to help youremployees stay physically and emotionally healthy include:
Establish a routine, just like when you go to office
Exercise daily, even inside your home
Increase communication with your collogues and clients
Join conference calls on video when possible and appropriate
Take breaks to stretch your legs, and give your eyes a rest
Watch your diet
Stay safe, stay healthy!!!
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