Data security in the home office often not sufficient
In the home office, one should think more about data security. The use of private devices and insecure connections in the private sector does not always guarantee data security, creating risks.
Ing. Manuel Studener
In the home office, one should think more about data security.
In times of the Corona crisis, companies – where possible – must increasingly rely on their employees working from home in order to somehow keep operations running and to be able to do business as best as possible.
However, data security is not always guaranteed in the home office. The use of private devices and insecure connections in the private sector does not always ensure data security, creating risks.
Here are a few tips to get through the Corona crisis safely while working from home:
- If possible, use a VPN connection to access the company server, thus reducing attacks from outside to a minimum.
- Make sure your passwords are secure and do not always use the same password, change your passwords if necessary and use passwords with random numbers and digits that have no relation to your personal data. If possible, use different passwords everywhere – password managers can help with this. These tips reduce the risk of your passwords being guessed and used for attacks on the company system.
- If possible, use a company laptop which has been securely configured by IT.
- Use 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), e.g., with an authentication code sent to your smartphone.
- Make sure that security updates are always up to date and be sure to use anti-virus software.
- Companies should provide employees with instructions on how to secure private devices as a stopgap measure.
- Avoid using dubious cloud services, here the data is often visible not only to employees but to the whole world.
- Should there still be a violation in terms of GDPR, the report must be made within 72 hours by the company to the data protection authority, in cases of particularly high risk the affected individuals must also be informed. Violations of the reporting obligation can be very costly.
If you heed these and other tips, then you will get through the home office time during the Corona crisis safely.
But the most important thing is to stay healthy anyway!