So you’ve finally achieved the home office setup of your dreams, and now you have the ideal space to work and complete all your tasks. But have you ever thought about adding tech and security measures to your work area? Most people who work from home assume that their space is perfectly safe. However, there’s always a chance that theft or data breaches can occur in your home office. In fact, a recent study has found that 46 percent of businesses had at least one cybersecurity incident within the first two months of allowing their employees to shift to remote work.
A cyber attack can happen anytime, and not only will it make you an easy target of hackers, but it can also potentially cost your company or business millions of dollars in losses. This is why you need to be proactive about cybersecurity, and keep your data and work station inaccessible from anyone who wants to control your computer or steal sensitive information. To keep your home office secure, protect your work space with these essential tech and security measures.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
You probably know that you shouldn’t use public Wi-Fi while accessing business systems or your online banking accounts since it isn’t secure and can be hacked by anyone. However, your home Wi-Fi network could be hacked too, and once this happens, all the data from your devices, such as your personal information and financial details, can be accessed by cybercriminals and used for a phishing scam or fraudulent activities. Your credentials can be used to send emails to your company to gain unauthorized access to systems, or they can be used to purchase items using your bank accounts.
So how do you know if your Wi-Fi has been hacked? Be on the lookout for certain signs, such as having slow Internet speed, or unfamiliar software installed in your devices. If there are strange devices or IP addresses detected by your network, that’s another sign that someone is attempting to connect to your router. To secure your Wi-Fi, do a full reset or reboot of your router, then change your Wi-Fi admin password right away. Choose a difficult password that’s not connected to your old one since hackers can guess that right away. You may also want to use a VPN on your router as an added layer of security and protection.
Safeguard Your Devices
Are you using a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone to do all of your tasks? Secure them from ransomware and data breaches with antispyware software, an antivirus program, a firewall, or a combination of all three. Use strong passwords to lock your computer or phone and prevent anyone from accessing your devices. You should also keep your operating systems, apps, and browser updated since some features that come from updates can prevent hackers from accessing your data.
Install a Smart Camera with Alarm System in Your Home Office
If your role or job requires you to handle or access sensitive data, think about installing a smart camera with an alarm system in your home office. This way, you can remotely monitor your workspace while you’re away, and be warned in case of an intrusion. Pick a smart camera with facial recognition features so it can identify family members or pets– this is highly useful, especially if you don’t want to get a false alarm. For added protection, install a smart lock on your home office door, and frequently change the code to deter thieves or anyone who may want to cause mischief in your work space.
Your home office setup should always be protected from intruders and cybercriminals. Consider these security measures to keep your work space safe, and avoid real-life and cyber threats while working from home.
