The future of work is mobile. But you may be worried that working from anywhere, on any device, could expose you to added security risks. Whether you’re a road warrior or remote worker here are some simple tips to stay protected.
5 Tips To Keep Your Mobile Workforce Secure
Bring your own Wi-Fi
Working on the go can sometimes make you feel tethered to public Wi-Fi. But free access points can be slow, unreliable, and worst of all, unsecured. Thankfully, you can use your Smart Phone as both a Wi-Fi locator and a hotspot to get connected on the go.
Beware of ‘evil twins.’
An evil twin is a rogue Wi-Fi network that appears to be legitimate, but has actually been set up by hackers for the purpose of stealing private information. (It’s the wireless equivalent of phishing.*) When in doubt, avoid doing sensitive business on public Wi-Fi hotspots.
*Phishing – This is the attempt to acquire confidential information, like passwords and credit card info, through bogus emails that look like they’re from a trusted source.
TIP: Don't share sensitive info via email, don't click on unknown links or attachments, do install security updates and antivirus software, and check financial statements regularly.
Use a VPN if you're not already.
If you must use public Wi-Fi to get work done on the go (at the airport, coffee shop, or wherever), consider setting up a VPN, or virtual private networks, for your business. This allows employees to access private company data securely over a public network.
Make firewalls your friend.
A firewall prevents hackers and malware from accessing your computer via the Internet. Ensure that all company devices have firewall software installed and running, along with antivirus programs. This is a solid first defense against suspicious traffic.
Of course, nothing beats common sense. Be sure to talk to your employees about the importance of creating secure passwords, changing passwords frequently, and avoiding downloads or files from unfamiliar sources.
Losing a device shouldn’t mean losing sleep.
It can happen to the best of us—your shiny new phone or tablet, left in an airplane seat pocket or the back of a cab. Consider installing a device-tracking app, password protecting your device, and always keeping your valuable data backed up in the cloud.
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To Learn more about mobile working see:
| Empower Your Mobile Workforce |