It may be hard to think about any benefits from COVID, but more companies implementing work-from-home Policies is perhaps one of them. If you’re working from home, even temporarily, here are some things to keep in mind.
Take something as simple as your daily commute. For many of us, “commute” now entails a short walk down the hallway. According to a report in Facility Executive, 88% of companies have now required their employees to work from home, and most experts agree that this may become a new normal post COVID.
By now, you may be an old hand at working from home. You’ve taken over a closet, spare bedroom, or kitchen and made it your “office” away from the office. You’ve figured out where and when to work and set up boundaries between work and personal life, including keeping sensitive work information and equipment separate and secured.
The only thing not going so well is that your cat is still walking on your keyboard. You may have also discovered that working from home can complicate security best practices, make it harder to share tips with colleagues, or have a quick chat on something you used to stand up and discuss over the cubicle, and more difficult to recognize and report potential incidents.
Even though by now you’re an experienced remote office worker, here are a few things you still need to keep in mind:
- Continue Security and Privacy Best Practices
The rules and policies you followed at work still apply when you’re working at home! Keeping your work area tidy (think Clean Desk/Clear Screen), following password best practices, handling personal data safely and securely, watching out for social engineering scams like phishing, vishing, and smishing – they all still matter. - Don’t Hesitate to Ask If You Have A Question Or Need Something
If you’re worried about software updates or have questions about the security of your home network, make sure you reach out to your manager, or your company’s IT or internal support department. They can’t help if you don’t ask. - Report Any Potential Incidents Immediately
Security or privacy incidents can happen anywhere, even at home. If you think an incident has happened, no matter how small, no matter how uncomfortable you may feel, make sure you report it immediately. - Over-communicate
Make sure you continue to reach out to your coworkers and colleagues. You can help make up for what you’re missing by not interacting in person every day by taking a couple of minutes before a call, or before a meeting to see what everyone is up to. Sharing about any DIY projects, hobbies, family celebrations, or anything you would normally share in the office to keep that connection. Sometimes over-communicating can be a good thing. - Physical Security Still Matters
Feeling relaxed and comfortable in your own home makes it a great place to work. But don’t forget about physical security. Remember the things that are in place to keep you safe and your equipment safe should be followed at home as well. Like locking doors, not leaving mobile devices unattended or out in the open like in cars, on a patio, or next to an open window.
And finally, the time you don’t spend commuting can be a gift…if you take advantage of it.
