7 Best Data Security Tips For Work From Home in 2022

Working remotely has numerous benefits, but it also puts your company’s data security and confidentiality at risk.

We’ve put together a data security essentials checklist for employees who work from home (WFH). Follow these 7 best data security tips for work from home in 2022 & get secured personally & officially.

1. Data Security Policies

Your employer should have data security policies in place, such as an IT Security Policy, a Data Breach Policy etc.

You must check these documents to verify that you are aware of the company’s data security policies.

2. Phishing Awareness

Phishing schemes may include spam emails or fraudulent websites aimed to steal your login credentials. To avoid phishing scams, follow these tips:

• If you can’t verify the sender of an email, SMS, or social media message, don’t respond.
• Do not click on the links or download attachments if you receive an email from an unknown source.
• When visiting a website, look for the padlock (https) symbol in the address bar.

3. Sharing Company Devices

Your company’s devices should never be shared with your family members. Personal or business information could be compromised as a result of this.

Set up different user profiles if you have just one laptop and the rest of your family needs to use it. This way, only you have access to sensitive work information.

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4. Securing Company Devices

Do not leave your official devices (laptops, phones etc.) unlocked even if you live with your family, leaving electronics unlocked is risky. Set a brief timeout period for your device to lock automatically when it is not in use.

Use a password or pattern instead of relying on biometrics like fingerprints and voice recognition to open a mobile device.

5. Security Software

Anti-malware (antivirus) software and password management software are important tools for keeping your company’s information safe.

However, some security software may cause more harm than good. Thus you must verify it from your employer first.

6. Email Forwarding

Forwarding work-related email to your email account can be tempting. Forwarding work emails to such platforms can endanger company data.

If you’re having trouble making the switch to remote email access, seek help from your IT department.

7. Network Protection

You should inspect your home network for security risks. When accessing sensitive work data, you may use a VPN. Make sure your router has a password and is up to date.

Before accessing work data with a VPN, verify with your employer first. While VPNs are generally secure, some lesser-known VPN brands have security issues.

Usually VPNs are meant to be secure but there are some less reputable VPN brands that have security issues. So always be aware!