How to avoid a data breach whilst working from home

An ever-growing proportion of the workforce is engaged in home working.

This may be either some of the time or permanently. Home working may pose a data risk, and as such, businesses need to recognise and take steps to avoid a data breach occurring.

Identify possible sources

Be mindful of all the potential sources of fraud that could be of risk to your company. These could include employees, customers, suppliers or a third party. What can you do to minimise the risk of these sources exposing data?

Use a secure VPN

Creating a robust IT system is imperative in today’s working environment. Investing in secure technology and training staff on how to avoid a data breach is good business practice, however small your business. Using a secure network portal keeps your business data secure yet provides flexibility for your home workers.

How to transport data

It’s a good idea to have a company policy regarding the movement of data. Be conscious of how employees travel, and the potential risks involved in doing so. For example, what would happen if a document or laptop was accidentally left on a train? If a company car containing a bag of documents was stolen? What steps can you take to remove that risk or minimise it happening?

Removal of data from business premises

Adopt a policy regarding the removal of data from the premises. Does the data need to be in paper form, or could it be stored on an electronic device, or emailed? Try and minimise the amount of data in paper form that is removed from the premises. Instead, send data to a secure device such as a password protected electronic device.

Use a secure shredding service at home

If paper documentation is used at home, one way you can protect it is to use a professional shredding service. A company can provide you a shredding sack to fill and you can schedule a time and date for them to collect it. It’s another way you can minimise the risk of a data breach.

Storing data at home

Whilst you wouldn’t want to suspect employees and their relations of exposing data it’s one of the main causes of a breach. Train your staff on how to store data and passwords. Make sure that passwords aren’t easily identifiable or shared with anyone, either in the company or externally.
If employees need to print documents at home, then provide them with a lockable filing unit to store paper and reduce the risk of fraud.

If you need help preventing data fraud during home working and would like to know more about our shredding service, then please contact us for a quote or more information.