Additional Security Risks for Telecommuters

Is there a better business arrangement than telecommuting? Employees can work in the comfort of their home and save money on gas, business clothes and vending machine raids. For the employer, less money needs to be allocated for office space and productive workers can be kept on the payroll even if they move across the country. The flexibility of telecommuting is especially nice. It’s often a win-win for everybody.

However (there’s always a however), telecommuting has security risks that are different from those found in traditional office situations. Before allowing employees to work from an off-site location, companies should establish security policies based on these potential risks.

Also, be sure to check out our IT checklist for managers to ensure all bases are covered – including security — when making telecommuting arrangements and our Telecommuting Calculator for maximizing telecommuting savings opportunities.

Click through for security risks unique to telecommuting.

The computer used for business should have one user: the employee. The more people who use a computer, the more chance there is for it to be infected with malicious malware or for information to be accidentally shared.

There are reasons your business doesn’t allow you to visit certain websites or install unauthorized software in the office, and those reasons extend to home. Better to play games and do your shopping on your own computer, using a personal e-mail account.

Much has been said about using Wi-Fi in public places like coffee shops and libraries and the risks involved. But don’t forget about the home wireless setup. If you aren’t sure your home Internet is secure, consider using an old-fashioned cable connection.

Confidential business information shouldn’t be saved on a commercial backup service or on external hard drives.

The settings are meant to protect company data. Messing around with them puts the data at risk.

People are nosy. They will look at what’s on your computer screen or the spreadsheets you printed out.