Work anywhere securely

The pandemic changed the nature of work forever. As people realized they could be productive working remotely, they wanted to maintain that flexibility. According to research by talent solutions specialist Robert Half, 49% of Canadian job seekers would like a hybrid role and 26% want a fully remote position. Sixty-six per cent of Canadian workers cite flexibility in when and where they work as a top influence in their job satisfaction and decision to stay with an employer.

Remote work is great for flexibility, convenience and employee satisfaction. But it also comes with increased security risks. How can you realize the benefits of remote work while staying secure and protecting yourself and/or your organization?

Understanding the threats

Data breaches can end up being expensive for any organization. According to IBM’s annual Cost of Data Breach report, in 2024, Canadian organizations paid $6.32 million on average for each data breach. Further research by global team builder RemoFirst indicates that 82% of data breaches are related to human error.

When you connect from personal devices or home networks, you’re creating another endpoint. If it’s not properly secured, it can create a susceptible vulnerability. Understanding the potential threats you face when working remotely is the first step to mitigating them.

Some of the most common risks include:

• Unsecured connections: when working from home, most people use their personal WiFi network that’s shared with other family members and other connected devices. Public WiFi in places like coffee shops and airports often have little to no security and could lead to your data being compromised.
• Personal devices: many remote workers use unmanaged, unprotected and unmonitored personal devices for work purposes, creating significant vulnerabilities.
• Weak passwords: password protocols at home tend to be more lax than they would be in the office with family members sharing networks and devices.
• Phishing/Smishing: hackers target people working from home because they are more relaxed by nature of their environment. Several high-profile breaches have occurred because someone clicked a link in a fraudulent email or text and opened the door to credential theft or malware.
• Data storage: many people who use personal devices for work also don’t store data safely, creating significant risks of compromise, theft or loss.
• Physical privacy: holding meetings in the living room or a coffee shop means you can be overheard. You never know who’s listening, watching or waiting for an unattended device.

Tips for staying secure

If you’re working from home (or from anywhere for that matter), there are things you can do to improve your security. Your organization will most likely have security policies in place, but extra layers of security always help.

1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): VPNs encrypt internet traffic and protect against data being intercepted. Look for a reputable VPN vendor and make sure your VPN is on when connecting.
2. Choose multi-factor authentication: passwords can be a vulnerability if you’re not up to date on your hygiene. Multi-factor authentication adds another layer of security by validating you typically through another device or biometrics.
3. Make your passwords strong: this can’t be said enough —password hygiene is critical. Use strong, unique passwords for everything you’re logging into (for remote work, this can mean your WiFi router/network, computer, devices and applications). Consider using a password manager to ensure that each password is strong and unique and eliminate the need to remember multiple passwords. Remember, passwords are typically the biggest vulnerability and an easy way in for hackers.
4. Secure your home network: change your default router password to a unique, strong password. Create a network separate from other users for remote work. Enable encryption where available. Update firmware regularly.
5. Update software regularly: hackers will look for any small vulnerability as a way in. Out of date software can provide it. Make sure all software you’re using for remote work is current and up to date.
6. Back up important data: no security precaution is foolproof. If you do fall victim to viruses, malware or ransomware, having backups of critical data helps you get back to business more quickly.
7. Attend training regularly: most organizations offer training on the latest threats and security protocols. Attend and pay attention. If you’re self-employed, seek out courses or webinars that can help you stay current on the latest in security.

Working remotely may change the location of your work, but it should never change your vigilance about security. Hackers look for any vulnerability to compromise both organizations and people, so be a secure link in the chain by following these basic security practices. For added protection, consider comprehensive security solutions like TELUS Online Security. By combining vigilance with effective security tools, you can confidently enjoy the flexibility of remote work while keeping your data and devices secure.