Tips for data security during COVID-19

Here are certain tips for working from home and remaining secure during COVID-19

1. Use a locker: Place your devices and documents containing personal data in a secured place. In case of theft, keeping anything with personal data locked away will help.

2. Software updates: Make sure you and your teammates are regularly updating their security software in order not to be hacked easily.

3. Documentation: Correct and organized documentation is crucial for every company. Make sure to classify the confidentiality of your documents. Ensure your employees do not have access to the documents not relevant to them.

4. Be careful about scams: Be extra cautious while opening web links about COVID-19. These days scammers are trying to turn this crisis into their adventure. Watch out for emails that are pressuring you to act quickly, have spelling errors in the links included or attachments that do not make sense.

5. Backups: Back up the important documents to not to regret later. Alternatively, you can use a USB stick or a hard drive, don’t forget to encrypt these external storages!

6. Use Strong Passwords: Use different passwords for different services and do not use too easy to guess passwords. Do not forget that everything is moving online nowadays and you should be extra cautious with your passwords. Rather than choosing 15–25 character passwords, create a sentence that only you would be able to understand.

7. Home and Mobile Working: Create a data protection policy for mobile working and train staff to adhere to these rules. Always encrypt data both in rest and in transit. Make sure that remote meetings are carried out without compromising the confidentiality of customer or employee information.

8. Home Network Security: Make sure your router has the up-to-date encryption standards to protect your network from outsiders. Make sure you have WPA2 and WPA3 encryption standards to protect information sent over a wireless network.

9.Personal Data Disposal: Never throw documents that include personal information about customers and employees in the trash or recycling bin. Make sure always you always shred any paperwork containing personal information.