Home Office Security: Six Basics for Remote Employees
When someone works from home, your office network stretches to include their kitchen table. You cannot control their router or who else uses the computer, but a handful of habits make a large difference. These six home office security habits are the ones we would put in front of every remote employee.
1. Keep the computer and apps up to date
Updates fix security holes that attackers actively use. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system, the web browser and the apps used for work. If a computer shows “restart to finish updating,” do it that day, not next week. Work computers should also be managed by your IT provider, so that updates and protection do not depend on the employee remembering.
2. Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager
Reusing one password across many sites is how one breach becomes ten. A password manager creates and stores a different long password for every account, so that nobody has to remember them or write them on a sticky note. Pair it with multi-factor authentication on every work account, using an authenticator app or, better, a passkey where it is offered. For more, see our post on passkeys and the CISA guidance on strong passwords.
3. Secure the home Wi-Fi
Most home routers are installed once and forgotten. Check the following:
- Change the router’s administrator password from the default.
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, and a long, unique Wi-Fi password.
- Keep the router’s firmware updated, or replace a router that no longer gets updates.
- Put smart TVs, cameras and guests on a separate guest network if the router allows it.
Public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport is risky for sensitive work. Use a phone hotspot or a company-approved VPN instead.
4. Keep work and personal use apart
A work laptop should be used for work. When family members use it for games or school, risk goes up. If staff use personal devices for work, they should still have a screen lock, up-to-date software and device encryption, and access to company data should go through approved apps, not copies saved on the device. Your business should decide in advance whether personal devices are allowed, and under what rules.
5. Be careful with email and requests that feel urgent
People working alone have no colleague nearby to ask, “Does this look right to you?” That makes phishing more effective. Teach a simple habit: if a message asks for money, passwords, gift cards or a change in payment details, confirm it by calling a known number. Our post on spotting scam emails that look real covers the signs that still work.
6. Know what to do if something goes wrong
Employees should know who to call and that reporting a problem quickly is always the right thing. Make the steps clear for a lost or stolen laptop, a suspicious email they clicked, or a computer behaving strangely:
- Report it right away to your IT provider or manager.
- Do not try to fix it yourself or delete evidence.
- Disconnect from the network if you were told to, and change passwords from a different device.
A lost laptop is far less of a problem when the drive is encrypted and your IT provider can lock or erase it remotely. Set that up before anyone needs it.
What the business should provide for home office security
Employees can do their part, but the business should set the basics: managed and encrypted laptops, multi-factor authentication, a password manager, security software that is monitored, and a short written remote work policy. Our managed IT services cover monitoring, patching and hardware and software support, and our Microsoft 365 support covers multi-factor authentication, access policies and device management. A free security review is a good first look at who can get into your systems and how accounts and passwords are protected.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe for employees to use their own computers for work?
It can be, with rules. The device needs a screen lock, encryption, current updates and security software, and company data should be reachable only through approved apps and accounts. Many businesses prefer company-managed laptops because they can enforce these.
Do remote employees need a VPN?
Not always. If your tools are cloud-based and use modern sign-in with multi-factor authentication, a VPN adds less than it once did. A VPN is still useful for reaching older systems in the office, or for work on public Wi-Fi. Your IT provider can advise based on your setup.
How do we protect data if a laptop is lost?
Encrypt the drive, require a sign-in, and manage the device so it can be locked or wiped remotely. Keep company files in the cloud or on a server, not only on the laptop.
What should our remote work policy include?
Which devices are allowed, required protections such as updates and multi-factor authentication, how to report a problem, rules for public Wi-Fi, and what happens when someone leaves. One or two pages is enough.
Can you help set up remote employees?
Yes. Our managed IT services cover hardware purchasing, installation, patching and support, and our Microsoft 365 support covers sign-in security and device management. Contact us and we will talk through your setup.
