It's Everyone's Job to Ensure Online Safety at Work
The lines between our work and daily lives are becoming increasingly blurred, and it is more important than ever to be certain that smart cybersecurity practices carry over between the two. When you are on the job, your organization's online security is a shared responsibility. Here are some quick tips to keep you safe and secure at work and home:
Keep a clean machine.
Having the latest security software, web browser, apps and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats. Mobile phones and point-of-sale systems need regular updates too.
Lock Down Your Login
Enable the strongest authentication tools available for your online business accounts, such as facial or fingerprint recognition or a unique one-time code sent to your mobile device. These security features can also be applied to email, bank and social media accounts.
Back It Up
Put a system in place that makes electronic copies of vital business information on a regular basis. These systems could be cloud-based or on a separate hard drive. At home, make regular back ups of all your documents, files and photos.
Bring Your Own Device
Employees are using their personal smart devices for work purposes now more than ever. It's important to consider where sensitive company, customer and employee data is being accessed. Implement a policy for personal device use.
When In Doubt, Throw It Out
Whether at work or at home, employees should know not to open suspicious links in emails, tweets, posts, online ads, text messages or attachments, even if they know the source.
Cybersecurity in the workplace is everyone's business. It's not just the job of IT staff or business owner to ensure online safety at work. Creating a culture of cybersecurity includes all employees knowing how to protect themselves and the organization and understanding the cyber risks as the business grows or adds new technologies or functions.
Cindy is a Senior Vice President / Operations Director for Heartland Bank. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Outside of the bank, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and going to garage sales and flea markets.
