How to Secure Your Remote Working Environment

These days, more of us are working remotely than ever before. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had to make the transition from working in an office to working from home. And while there are many advantages to working from home—no commute, flexible hours, etc.—there are also some challenges, chief among them being security. After all, when you’re working from home, you’re responsible for securing your own environment. This is especially true if you’re working in a DevSecOps environment, where you need to ensure that all of your DevOps processes are carried out securely and efficiently.

Use a VPN

One of the best ways to secure your remote working environment is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and a remote server. This means that the entire data passing between your computer and the VPN server is encrypted, making it much more difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your data. Additionally, a VPN can help to mask your IP address, making it more difficult for others to track your online activity.

There are many different VPNs available on the market, so it’s important to do your research before settling on one. Some factors you’ll want to consider include price, speed, security features, and compatibility with your operating system. Once you’ve found a VPN that meets your needs, setting it up is usually a simple matter of downloading and installing the VPN software and then connecting to the desired server.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Another good way to secure your remote working environment is to use two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. 2FA adds an additional layer of security by requiring you to enter not only a username and password but also a code that is generated by an authentication app or sent to your phone via text message. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts, even if they manage to steal your username and password.

Most major online services—including Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Dropbox—now offer 2FA, so take advantage of it wherever possible. Enabling 2FA is usually just a matter of going into the security settings of the relevant account and following the prompts.

Keep Your Software Up-To-Date

Another important security measure is keeping all of the software on your computer up-to-date. This includes not only your operating system but also any applications you have installed—such as web browsers, email clients, office suites, etc. Outdated software often contains security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers, so it’s important to stay on top of updates.

Fortunately, most software these days will check for updates automatically and prompt you to install them when they’re available. However, it’s always a good idea to check manually on occasion just to be sure that everything is up-to-date as it should be.

Restrict Access To Your Remote Working Environment – Only Give Access To People Who Absolutely Need It

Another important security measure for remote working environments is to restrict access to sensitive information as much as possible. Ideally, you should only give your login credentials and other sensitive information to people who absolutely need it in order to do their jobs. This helps to minimize the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches, which can have far-reaching consequences for both yourself and your organization.

One way to help restrict access is to use two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA adds an additional layer of security by requiring you to enter not only a username and password but also a code that is generated by an authentication app or sent via text message. Another approach is limiting the number of people with administrative privileges on your computer or network, especially if multiple people need access to sensitive data.

Be Vigilant About Phishing Attacks And Other Online Scams

In addition to securing your remote working environment against unauthorized access, it’s also important to be vigilant about online scams and other malicious activity. Phishing attacks are a common threat in today’s digital world, so it’s crucial to always be on the lookout for suspicious emails or websites that could be used to steal sensitive information or infect your computer with malware.

One effective strategy for protecting yourself against phishing is by using an email client that supports spam filters and other security features. Additionally, using strong passwords and changing them frequently can help to prevent hackers from gaining access to your accounts even if they do manage to obtain your login credentials.

Only Open Emails From Trusted Sources

In order to further protect yourself against phishing attacks; it’s important to only open emails from trusted sources. Hackers often send malicious links or attachments in spoofed emails that appear to come from a legitimate source—such as your bank, employer, or another organization you do business with.

To minimize the risk of clicking on dangerous links or files, be sure to carefully inspect all emails before clicking on anything. Additionally, consider installing an email client that supports spam filters and other security features. Finally, if you receive an email from a suspicious or unknown sender, it’s best to simply delete it rather than taking any chances. In the long run, this will help keep your remote working environment safe and secure.

Apple has implemented security updates and features in the Safari browser and iCloud email to help prevent trackers and profilers from accessing your information from remote working environments.