Basic Wireless Security for Remote Work

With remote work becoming a popular option amongst businesses nowadays, concerns and considerations should be raised about how secure the networks being used are: namely, the Wi-Fi connections many have in their homes. Just as in the office, it is important that these networks are properly secured for the good of your business.

Let’s review how your employees can still work remotely, while also maintaining the security standards you expect. This will require them to follow a few practices with their home networks:

Use Password Best Practices

It doesn’t matter that a home network is different from a business network, as password best practices are generally universal. Therefore, when setting the credentials for your home network, make sure that the usual standards apply, and that the rest of your team does the same. Here are three things that can help you keep your Wi-Fi secure:

• Make sure that your passwords are sufficiently complicated, avoiding common phrases and password rules. There are many articles that can be found online that summarize the most popular (which means insecure) passwords, and there are a few patterns that can be spotted quite easily. Avoid using these kinds of shortcuts.
• Consider using a passphrase, instead of a password. A good passphrase is the combination of random, unrelated words, and relying on one of these can boost the resilience of your accounts exponentially.
• Change your network access password regularly and avoid giving it out. Most people won’t need the password to your Internet connection, so don’t give it to them.

Keep Your Setup Up to Date

Many people may not think to update their networking equipment until things start to work poorly. However, in order to take advantage of remote access, you and the other users connecting need to make sure that their tools are fully optimized and secured. A few pointers:

• Install a firewall and antivirus. While these protections are sure to be installed on your professional network/workstations, there may not be enough on an employee’s device. Make sure you know what they currently have, and if need be, have them install a stronger version of both. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) should always be in use.
• Adjust your hardware settings. It is likely that your employees have not updated all their networking hardware or are not using it with the best configurations enabled. Take the steps to walk your employees through the process of changing the SSID on their router and other customizations.
• Make sure that all software is fully patched and updated. Whether your employees are using devices supplied by the workplace or their own equipment, make sure the proper security tools are installed and up to date. This includes the programs they are using to complete their tasks, as well as the software that controls and secures their devices, like their wireless router, their antivirus, and their firewall.

Of course, your employees should also be just as aware of the computing best practices that you should be enforcing in the office while they are working from home. For more security best practices and solutions, give BNMC a call at (978) 482-2020.