Summer is a prime season for business owners and employees to step away from the office for a well-earned vacation. Despite activating their "out of office" email responders, many still check in on work occasionally while traveling. Unfortunately, studies reveal that working remotely—whether it's a few quick check-ins during vacation, connecting to the Internet at a local coffee shop, or business travelers on work trips—can pose significant cybersecurity risks. If you or your employees plan to handle urgent emails from the airport or access network documents in a hotel lobby, it's crucial to adhere to strong cybersecurity best practices to prevent exposing the company's network to nearby hackers.
In this blog post, we'll outline essential cybersecurity best practices to follow before and during any trip to keep your network secure from cyber threats.
Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling
Cybersecurity might not be a top priority on your vacation checklist, but neglecting it can turn your dream getaway into a nightmare. Cybercriminals are well aware that summer is a prime time to strike, as people are more likely to lower their guard while on vacation. The focus for most vacationers is on enjoying their time away from the office, not on following cybersecurity best practices, making them easy targets for hackers.
To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are a few best practices to share with anyone on your team who might connect to the Internet during their vacation.
Before You Go:
- Back Up Your Data: If your device gets lost or damaged, having a backup ensures you can restore your data.
- Update Your Software: Ensure your operating system, web browsers, and apps are updated to the latest versions. Outdated software can compromise your device's defenses against malware.
- Protect Your Devices: Always lock your device using a PIN, passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition. If you don't already have this in place, set it up before traveling. An unattended, unlocked device can give someone full access to your private information.
- Enable "Find My Phone": This feature allows you to locate your device if lost and remotely wipe data or disable the device if it falls into the wrong hands.
While Traveling:
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your Internet connection, ensuring your data remains secure even on public WiFi networks. Set up a VPN on your devices before leaving and use it whenever you access the Internet.
- Avoid Public WiFi: Public WiFi networks are convenient but can be hotspots for cybercriminal activity. Avoid unprotected networks whenever possible. (Yes, that means no checking your email on the beach unless you have a VPN!)
- Manage Location Services: Location tools are useful for navigating new places but can also expose your location to criminals. Turn off location services when not actively using them and consider limiting how you share your location on social media.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code, authenticator code, or fingerprint scan. Enable this feature for all accounts containing sensitive information before you leave.
- Disable Auto-Connect Features: Some devices automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. These features can expose your devices to cybercriminals if you connect to the wrong network. Disable this option so you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks you know and trust.
Conclusion
You should be able to relax on vacation. Taking these simple precautions can help keep your devices secure, allowing you to enjoy your time off without worrying about cyber issues when you return to work.
However, it's important to note that these steps aren't fail-proof. To truly ensure your company's cybersecurity measures are up to standard, consider partnering with a professional IT team that can monitor your network 24/7, patch any vulnerabilities that arise (which happens regularly), and alert you if something suspicious occurs.
To help you prepare for your vacation and have peace of mind knowing your business is secure while you or your employees are working remotely, call us at +44-28-7136-3363 or click here to schedule a FREE consult with our cybersecurity experts today. We'll evaluate your current cybersecurity solutions, identify potential vulnerabilities and help you implement a strategic security plan to keep your company safe.
