Strengthening Cybersecurity: Best Practices for Your Home Office
As the presence of home offices grows in Swedish working life, bolstered by a trend toward mobile work, it's imperative that both companies and employees prioritize cybersecurity. According to Rickard Widerberg, Head of Product Development at Telenor, many of us overlook the potential security risks posed by our personal home networks. While organizations might invest heavily in secure office Wi-Fi solutions, individuals often take a more laissez-faire approach, using basic routers with little more than a simple password change to protect their networks.
This presents a significant risk, especially with the increasing number of connected devices in our homes—robot vacuums, lawnmowers, and smart lights, for example. Andreas Kristensson, Sales Manager at Telenor, points out that when we provide access to these devices, we inadvertently expose our networks to potential intrusions. If any of these providers face a cyberattack, hackers could gain access to personal and sensitive information stored on our devices.
Cybercriminal tactics are ever-evolving, and their motivations can vary drastically; they may aim to access personal finance information or corporate documentation. Higher-ranking employees, often privy to critical data, can become prime targets. As Kristensson notes, the data you have access to can make you more interesting to malicious actors.
To help combat these evolving threats, Telenor offers a solution: the 5G Office Connect service. Widely regarded as a secure and reliable connection method, it ensures that employees remain within their company's IT environment regardless of their location. "It's like having an invisible LAN cable connected to your computer wherever you are," says Widerberg, emphasizing that users are shielded from the risks of unknown Wi-Fi networks.
As the 5G network rapidly expands across Sweden, Telenor's services can also be accessed through existing 4G connections, allowing for enhanced speeds and functionality without waiting for full 5G coverage.
To further strengthen home office security, here are five essential tips from Telenor experts: 1. Avoid connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks that you cannot trust. 2. Implement two-factor authentication whenever possible. 3. Ensure your router password is not overly simple. 4. Utilize company-provided 5G services like 5G Office Connect instead of relying on unsecured Wi-Fi. 5. If 5G is unavailable, consider connecting via your mobile phone for a more secure alternative.
By following these guidelines and leveraging modern 5G technologies, employees can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and contribute to a safer remote working environment.
Related Sources: