Secure remote and hybrid working: 7 agreements that make the difference

Hybrid working is the new normal for many businesses. Convenient and sought-after, but it also means company data leaves the building: onto home networks, personal devices, and into cafés. That increases your risk. With a handful of sober agreements you keep it both secure and workable.

The 7 agreements

1. Work on managed devices. A laptop your business manages (with updates, encryption, and a virus scanner) is safer than a random personal computer. If that is not possible, make clear agreements about personal use.
2. Encrypt the hard drive. If a laptop is lost or stolen, the data is easily readable without encryption. Disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) is often already available.
3. MFA on anything reachable from outside. Away from the office, this is your most important lock. See multi-factor authentication.
4. Use secure connections. A VPN or a well-secured cloud service prevents eavesdropping on public wifi.
5. Separate work and personal. No company files in personal clouds or personal mail, and vice versa. That prevents data breaches and hassle.
6. Lock your screen. At home and on the go too: an unattended, open screen is a risk. Automatic locking after a few minutes helps.
7. Watch extra for phishing. At home the social check is gone and people are more easily distracted, exactly what attackers aim for. See spotting phishing.

Make it easy, not hard

Security that gets in the way too much gets bypassed. So make sure the secure way is also the easy way: good tools, clear explanation, and help that is reachable. Involve your people in the agreements, and they will stick to them too.

Write it down

These agreements belong in your IT policy, so they apply to everyone and do not depend on who happens to be paying attention. New employees then know immediately where they stand.

Help setting it up?

We help you set up hybrid working securely, in line with how your team works. See our cybersecurity service or book a conversation.