It’s summertime! Business owners and employees step out of the office for a well-deserved vacation. Even if they are “out of office” (according to their email responder), many people will periodically check in on work while traveling. Unfortunately, studies show that working outside of the office can lead to major cybersecurity issues. If you or your employees will be answering urgent emails from the airport or accessing network documents in the hotel lobby, it’s essential to maintain strong cyber security best practices to avoid exposing the company’s network to hackers preying nearby.
Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling
Cybercriminals know summer is a prime time to attack because people are more likely to let their guard down while on vacation. To minimize the risk of an attack while traveling, here are a few best practices to cover with your team.
Before You Go:
- Back up your data – If your device gets lost or ruined, you’ll still want and need the data for the future. Backing it up allows it to be restored in case this happens.
- Update your software – Make sure your systems (operating system, web browsers, apps, etc) have been updated to the latest version. Outdated software can impact your device’s ability to defend against malware.
- Protect your devices – Lock your device using a PIN, passcode, fingerprint or facial recognition feature, especially when traveling.
- Enable “Find My Phone” – This feature will allow you to locate your device if you lose it, but it also gives you the power to remotely wipe data or disable the device if it falls into the wrong hands.
While Traveling:
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – A VPN encrypts your Internet connection, ensuring your data is secure even when you use public Wi-Fi networks. Talk to your IT provider to get a VPN connection setup on your device.
- Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi – While it’s convenient, these networks can be a hotspot for cybercriminal activity, especially in highly-traveled vacation spots. Avoid unprotected networks whenever possible. Be sure to disable auto-connect features. Some devices automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. These features can give cybercriminals access to your devices if you connect to the wrong network. Disable this option so you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks you know and trust.
- Manage location services – Turn off location services when you’re not actively using that feature, and consider limiting how you share your location on social media.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second verification form, such as a text message code, authenticator code or fingerprint scan. This feature should be enabled for all accounts containing sensitive information before traveling.
Just know that these steps aren’t fail-proof. You should be able to relax on vacation. Taking these simple precautions can help you keep your device secure so you can enjoy your time off and don’t have to worry about dealing with cyber issues when you get back to work.
Ready for peace of mind when your employees are working remotely?
Call us 888-500-9111 or click here to schedule a consultation with our cybersecurity experts. We’ll evaluate your current cybersecurity solutions, identify potential vulnerabilities and help you implement a strategic security plan to keep your company safe.
