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Security Tips for Remote Working

Protecting Your Business During a Pandemic

As people opt to work from home during the current COVID-19 pandemic, Marsh Risk Consulting has created the below list of security tips to help aid in a secure working environment.

Corporate IT Security

  • Provide employees with regular communication and awareness messages, including basic security knowledge:
    • Beware of phishing, especially COVID-19 scams and fraudulent COVID-19 websites
    • Know working from home “DOs & DON’Ts”
    • Ensure home Wi-Fi is secure
    • Always use VPN on public Wi-Fi
  • Create a shared channel called #phishing-attacks or an email address to forward suspicious emails
  •  Update your company’s Acceptable Use Policy to address working from home and the use of home computer assets
  • Identify functions that can only be undertaken in a secured environment at the office (i.e. not remotely)
  • Develop COVID-19 specific playbooks and adapt disaster recovery plans to current context
  • Provision protective technology on endpoints (hardening, anti-virus, endpoint detection and response, etc.)
  • Enforce software updates
  • Utilize a password manager or run password audits
  • Tighten and test access control procedures, especially for change in workforce and internal threats
  • Provision for the load of increased number of remote users
  • Provide VPN access and disable split tunneling
  • Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere, especially on email accounts
  • Re-assess rules, like geo-blocking and similar ones, that could prevent remote access
  • Ensure continuity of access when IP whitelisting is in use
  • Use MDM/EMM solutions and enforce mandatory remote backups on select users or repositories
  • Provide home security checks for employees through phone technical support

Home Security (for employees)

  • Reset default home Wi-Fi router passwords and enable WPA2 encryption
  • Never leave your laptop and other mobile devices unattended in public space or unlocked at home
  • Keep your work separate – don’t use work laptop for personal matters, let family members use it, or use personal laptop for work
  • Avoid the use of USB sticks and other removable storage
  • Use company pre-approved cloud or data center storage instead of local or personal storage
  • While working from home, mute or shut down any digital assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Home, etc.) since they are constantly recording nearby conversations
  • Maintain a clean work area and enable a 5 minute screen lock
  • Store any paper documents securely and dispose of by using a shredder
  • When necessary, save VPN bandwidth for your organization:
    • Use VPN only for sensitive communications, not for internet browsing or personal matters
    • Limit use of videoconferencing, and use audio through phone instead of computer
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Julien Ducloy

MRC ERM and Cyber Risk Consulting Leader

  • Canada