With around 20% of the UK workforce currently working remotely for at least one day per week post-pandemic, employees should take steps to keep their information safe.

In an office environment, your work is protected through office security, key cards and secure servers. However, this is not the case when you are working from home.

Why you need to keep your information safe 

Working from home makes your business more vulnerable to cyber-attacks (such as hacking attempts and ransomware) or even your computer being stolen.

Cyber security experts Jumpsec (external link) state that the average cyber hack will cost a company around £2,000 to £3,000. However, depending on the scale of the data breach and how it impacts your business, this can quickly run into tens of thousands or even millions of pounds in damage.

Taking simple precautions to keep your information safe can help improve stability for your company and avoid any potentially huge losses due to a cyber breach.

Here are some key measures that you can take as an employee, to make sure your information is safe when working remotely. 

Keep your laptop or computers in a secure location

When the workday finishes, you might be tempted to leave your laptop out, on the dining room table or in your bedroom for example. If you work with sensitive information, you should keep your laptop /computer in a more secure location.

You could store your laptop in a drawer that has a padlock or combination lock, or in a locked room.

Use a virtual private network 

A virtual private network, also known as a VPN, allows you to use your laptop or desktop computer in a much more secure way. When you login using a VPN provider, your information is fully encrypted so it cannot be accessed by any external parties. Source: TechRound (external link)

On a professional level using a VPN is a good idea, to make your work information inaccessible to hackers or competitors. You can also use a VPN to connect to your work desktop when you are not physically in the office so you have access to the same applications and functionalities.

Avoid leaving sensitive papers where they can be easily accessed

You should avoid leaving any papers or important documents in common areas around the house. 

If you have a home office, you should lock the door when it is not in use or keep any vital documents in a locked cabinet or storage cupboard.

Change passwords regularly

Experts recommend changing your passwords every month, including those for emails, software and online banking. This applies to both your work and home passwords, especially if the two overlap. 

Avoid writing any passwords down on notepads, update them regularly and make them as unique as possible.