4 Smart Ways to Secure your Home Office

We must be secure in all environments, even when we feel the most comfortable. Yep, that also includes when we wear our favorite PJs, snuggled up on the couch at home on a rainy day in June. Bad actors don’t have boundaries, so your security needs to be without boundaries too.

You might be thinking, “Wait one minute there, Sparky. What are the risks?” Let’s talk it through.

What are home office security risks?

Remote work has exploded in popularity over the past few years. According to the US Census, the number of people primarily working from home tripled between 2019 and 2021.

As businesses use more remote workers, their attack surface area (meaning all internet-facing computers or ways into the businesses network) increases. Companies must account for new devices, systems, and networks to stay secure. They need someone working halfway across the world to be as secure as someone who sits next to the onsite server room. For bad actors, this is amazing. They scour the internet 24/7 looking for vulnerabilities. And a larger attack surface means more ways to get into an organization’s network.

But it doesn’t stop there. There’s also a greater chance people aren’t as secure at home. Why? They feel more comfortable. They are away from the structure or the work environment. That might mean if they have a work laptop issue, they are more prone to try and handle it themselves. Maybe try and use one of their home devices or take their work laptop down the street to Jim, the “computer guy.” I mean, why contact IT and wait days for them to ship you a new computer (and reconfigure it) when Jim is right down the street? Plus, he has beer!

As you can see, there are some risks to be aware of, but rest assured! We have four smart ways to ensure your home office is a digital Fort Knox!

1. Use security software

Pro-Tip

If you work for an employer, always defer to the security practices they recommend you follow. You should only use company-approved software.

Two great options for security software are antivirus (or endpoint protection) and a Virtual Private Network (VPN) (check out our Cyber 101 section to learn the definition of a VPN). First, let’s look at the difference between antivirus software and endpoint protection. Antivirus protects an individual system or device, while endpoint protection is a centrally managed (if you work for an outside employer, they will oversee this) security solution protecting several devices.

Both security options help to ensure your devices are protected against malicious software of all types.

2. Family members should never use work devices 

Think of your work laptop and mobile devices as work-only assets. Actually, don’t just think about it — make sure of it! Especially if you have kids (or some other well-meaning but semi-intrusive family members) who like to get their hands on any new technology. 

Only using work devices for work is an excellent way to practice cyber hygiene. Devices are at their most secure when they have one user; that way, it’s far easier for the device owner to control access to sensitive data and remain data-aware. Remember, if you work for an organization, many employers will have this stipulation in their employment agreements.

3. Keep your physical workspace secure

While virtual security is essential, it’s equally important to ensure that your home office is physically secure. You are safeguarding data from a thief in the night and a nosy friend of the family (who might be snooping in your office). You should always limit access to sensitive information to only authorized people to view it. Here are some quick tips:

• Lock your office at the end of the day (or when you have guests visiting)

• Password protect access to all your work devices

• Invest in a home security system (this will also give you peace of mind regarding other valuables in your home)

4. Deploy a security-centric router 

Security-centric routers are routers designed with security in mind. A router — also known as a WiFi router — is a device that provides your wireless network connection by routing traffic from a modem. A modem connects your home to the internet through your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network. So a modem sends data in and out of your home to your ISP, while a router sends that data to the right device in your home!

Over time, routers have evolved to be optimized for different use cases. For home office purposes, we recommend focusing on ”security-centric” routers. Modern ones are not only the most secure, but they should also have an easy-to-use interface (via an app on your computer and phone) that allows you to configure and understand any security issues. 

By the way, the router you get from your ISP is often not a security-centric one.

Here are a couple of our favs (listed in order of security focus):

• [Secure] Google or Nest Wi-Fi - These have an easy-to-use app with great integration to the Google ecosystem. They are intended to be linked with other Google networking devices (aka other Google or Nest Wi-Fi routers) to form a mesh network. A mesh network is a group of networking devices that act as a single Wi-Fi network. These additional networking devices are called access points. Having a mesh network allows for Wi-Fi to be spread across a larger area, such as a larger home with multiple levels.

• [More secure] Gryphon Tower (aka AX) - This router is purposely built to secure your home or office. Its “intrusion detection protects your connected devices with 24/7 monitoring (i.e., security system, cameras, speakers & doorbells) against hackers and intruders.”  It can also be used in a mesh network. It possesses easy-to-configure parental controls, which is a nice feature for parents. Bear in mind their Advanced Internet Protection (Premium) is free for the first year, then they will ask if you want to pay for an annual subscription. It is an optional security measure; the router will continue to function for the life of the product.

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Conclusion

BAM! There you go. Those are 4 smart ways to secure your home office. Remember, security needs to always be with us. Whether working in an office or at home, we need to keep security front and center.

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