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Security Precautions for Work From Home Arrangements

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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