Keep your business safe online

Working from home using a mobile device

As we continue to stay in self-isolation during the COVID-19 crisis, it has become the new normal for more and more people to work remotely.  Technology has played a major role in day-to-day living, but no more so than now, and our reliance on technology, computers, laptops, and mobile devices to conduct business and homeschooling has massively increased over the past two months.  

But with the increase in technology, comes the inevitable increase in cybercrime and Coronavirus themed email scams.  So, what can you do to ensure your business stays safe online?

  • If you have a team of employees working from home, it is recommended that passwords are changed on home routers to avoid any unauthorised access.
  • It is recommended that passwords are changed frequently so take some time to update them now to ensure they are unique – include upper/lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid the obvious family/pet connections!  Where possible, set up two-factor authentication.  
  • Adjust your privacy and safety settings to increase security and control the personal data you share.
  • Remind employees on what to look for when it comes to phishing emails/malware.  Is the email from a reputable and trusted source? What does the headline say – is there anything that follows? Look out for misspelled words or improper grammar. 
  • Consider only sharing certain information with those that really need it.  If information is being stored on a central file server, password protect it and manage who has access to the information.
  • Ensure you have a recovery plan in place should the need arise to retrieve data quickly. The last thing you want is to lose valuable information and to set your business back when you need to be running as efficiently as possible.

It is pretty incredible that technology can allow some sense of normality and businesses to still operate, but please stay safe.  If you have any queries or concerns, check out the Government’s website for further tips on how to stay safe online.