How to Make Your Computer as Secure as Possible for Working Remotely

All employees who have access to confidential organizational data or private client or employee information have a responsibility to keep their computers secure, but employees who work remotely face additional risks and challenges. When working remotely, employees are more likely to use their computer for personal reasons, leave their computer unlocked and unattended, and connect to unsecured networks. Protecting confidential information when working from home can keep your organization, coworkers, and customers safe from the threat of identity theft. These tips and tricks can help.

Be Cautious with your Paper Documents

Even remote employees often handle paper documents throughout the course of their work. They might print off client orders, export and print reports out of their CRM, or print a payroll journal each pay period to perform a quick audit without the painful backlight of a computer screen. When these documents contain proprietary business information, dates of birth, credit card numbers, account numbers, social security numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, or other private information, leaving them lie around the home office or discarding them in the trash bin can put your company, coworkers, and clients at risk. 

Employees who work from home can avoid putting others at risk by: 

• Working from electronic files whenever possible, printing only when absolutely necessary and removing confidential information before printing.
• Storing documents that contain confidential information in a locked filing cabinet when they aren't present and actively working on them. 
• Using a trusted shredding company to securely shred confidential documents when they're no longer needed.
  
  

Destroy Old Hardware Appropriately

Most organizations replace laptops, desktop computers, personal devices, and cell phones every three to five years depending on technological advances and software requirements. While employees working on site will likely follow stringent guidelines for the destruction of their old hard drive, many organizations don't have a clear process in place for remote employees. Discarding company equipment like laptops, desktop computers, and personal devices in the trash can or at the landfill - or giving them to a friend or family member to use - can pose substantial risk to the organization and its stakeholders. 

All employees - including those who work from home - should partner with a trusted, certified shredder to destroy old hard drives when their technology is upgraded. 

Contact Gilmore Today!

To learn more about secure document storage, secure document destruction, or secure hard drive destruction, contact Gilmore today. Services range from one-time shredding services to off-site records management and are designed for all consumers: individuals, businesses, and individuals supporting businesses from the comfort of their own homes. Our goal is to provide people-centered security that works for you - and your employer will likely cover the cost of services! Contact us today to find out which services best meet your needs or request a customized quote for document security and hard drive destruction.