NCET Biz Tips: Home Office Security & Productivity
by Gary Micander, Chief Technical Officer for Sierra Computer Group
Many more of us work from home now, and for many, that may be the new normal. The bad news for end users and employers is that each remote connection to the office represents another opening in the network and another potential security vulnerability.
We’ve already seen an uptick in the number of cyber-attacks in the last few months attempting to exploit this. These usually take the form of email phishing scams attempting to steal money or deliver malware to give the bad guys access to home computers.
Why Home Office Security Matters for Your Company
Once a home computer is compromised, it’s often easy to gain access to other company resources via remote access software or VPNs. These scams can often be thwarted by training users to avoid clicking on malicious email links. We recommend implementing end-user training and false phishing emails to remind users to stay vigilant, as well as AI-based security software to help prevent these compromises.
Sometimes even the best educated of us clicks something we shouldn’t. To recover from malware events, the number one item on anyone’s to-do list should be regular and repeated backups that are stored or copied offsite. Image-based backups are best, as they capture your entire server or computer, not just individual files. It’s best if these are professionally managed and tested periodically.
Home Office Vulnerabilities
Other vulnerabilities working from home often involve old or poorly configured wireless routers and firewalls. It’s a good idea to spend a few dollars and upgrade your router to a business model designed with “unified threat protection” built in. While these are more expensive than consumer-grade equipment, they are often not only more secure but also better performing. While a slower Internet connection and intermittent Wi-Fi coverage may be OK for general home Internet use, it’s worth investing in a better technology when it’s a mission-critical part of the workday.
A wired network is almost always faster than wireless, but Wi-Fi is often perfectly adequate. Wi-Fi signal strength can be measured using a variety of apps on a mobile phone. It may be worth getting a “mesh” network if the home is larger or has the type of walls that block the signal, such as brick, stucco, etc. Certain household devices or the neighbor’s Wi-Fi can also interfere with coverage.
At the next NCET Biz Café, we’ll discuss tricks and tips to understand your Internet and Wi-Fi connection as well as other home office technology.
Learn about the latest home office security and productivity products and services at NCET’s online Biz Cafe on at 3 pm on July 1, 2020. NCET is a member-supported nonprofit organization that produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology. Find more info at www.NCETcafe.org
Gary Micander is the Chief Technical Officer for Sierra Computer Group, Reno’s oldest and most experienced computer and network services firm. SCG’s tagline is “Doing IT Right”; managing customer IT to maximize functionality, uptime, and security while also protecting corporate information against data loss.