Important security reminders for your newly remote workforce

As more companies are suggesting or mandating their employees to work from home to minimize the spread of COVID-19, many employees who are not used to remote work are trying to figure out how to adapt.

I’ve been reading lots of helpful tips and tricks for staying productive (and sane) during this time. Some advice I’m implementing, like sticking to a schedule, and getting outside for walks. Others I’m choosing to ignore, like get dressed in regular work attire (these are my work sweatpants, thank you very much). But it’s not just productivity that we need to consider when working remote, it’s important that we remain diligent in following best security practices. Here are some security considerations you should review with your newly remote workforce.

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Security concerns for a newly remote workforce

• Have users ensure their home WiFi connection is secure. Now is a good time to reset WiFi passwords and provide access only to trusted individuals.


• Remind users to never leave written passwords out where they can be seen. Consider using a password manager to keep track of login credentials and enable two-factor authentication for online accounts whenever possible.


• Help users ensure that their device is updated with the latest OS and security patches.


• Have users connect to the company-provided VPN if available. Barracuda provides a CloudGen Firewall equipped with highly resilient VPN technology to secure distributed environments.


• Remind users to take caution when clicking links. Working from home often means increased distractions and less scrutiny when presented with hyperlinks that arrive via email, Slack, etc. Businesses should consider using a SaaS content filtering solution like Barracuda Content Shield to protect remote users from malicious web content.


• Reiterate that as a user, they are the most important last line of defense for security. When working from home, it’s critical to maintain good security behavior.

If you’re a business owner or IT administrator, consider a security awareness training solution like Barracuda PhishLine to reinforce best security practices for on-site and remote users throughout the year.

Stay safe! 

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