Cybersecurity for the Home Office: Tips for Small Business Owners

As more small business owners embrace remote work, securing home offices has become a critical part of protecting sensitive data. Cyber threats don’t discriminate between large companies and small operations, making it vital to address vulnerabilities in remote work setups.

Strengthen Your Wi-Fi Network

Ensure the use of secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks using WPA3 encryption with updated firmware. Rotate your WiFI AP’s passphrase at least once a year.

Outsource Your Router

Owning your own broadband router can save you a bit of money — maybe $10/mo with your ISP — but that means you’re responsible for it. Your responsible for its configuration and its maintenance, including firmware upgrades. Since when did you become an IT department? Change your focus. Give that responsibility to your ISP by using their gateway, making them responsible for maintenance and upgrades.

Leverage Endpoint Security

Laptops, tablets, and phones used for work must have robust antivirus software, firewall protection, and encryption to safeguard data. But they should be monitored and watched at a distance for policy compliance. Again, you’re not an IT department, but you can leverage one with EPM (Endpoint Management).

Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Today’s biggest risks don’t involve viruses on a local computer. It involves compromising the personal, private information found in online accounts. MFA/2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. Even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is blocked. Using MFA/2FA on any platform you use to conduct business is a solid recommendation.

Keys, Locks, and Drawers

Be mindful of a Clean Desk Policy, even at home. Keep confidential information secured in physical drawers, accessible only by keys. Bonus points for using fire-protected sleeves or cabinets. Take it seriously — control access to your workspace. Make it difficult for anyone to access a secured environment by locking doors. Maybe even consider an internal security system or camera system.

Practice Good Cyber Hygiene

Use good passwords on your laptops and computers used for your business, and share them with nobody, especially your kids. Teenagers are the worst: they’ll use your devices to access questionable content online, threatening your equipment. No touchie! Those rugrats should use their own devices to play around with and leave yours well-enough alone.

Cloud-Based Backups

Establish a backup routine for business-critical data. Cloud-based solutions can be lifesavers in the event of a ransomware attack. External drives aren’t a superior option because they’re local: they’d also be impacted by a virus, or, by a fire, or, by an earthquake. A good rule of thumb: a useful backup is separated from the host computer system by time and space. The further away your backups are (kept in a distant vault, if you imagine it that way), the better off you are.

Get Rid of Physical Mail

I’ve argued this one before. Go digital! If you can’t, ditch all forms of physical mail being delivered to your home and get a box somewhere.

Separate Your Data Processing Systems

Separating work data processing from personal data processing is essential for small business owners to maintain security and privacy. Using different accounts for work and personal tasks minimizes the risk of a cyberattack on one compromising the other. For instance, if a personal account is hacked, business data remains secure, and vice versa. This approach simplifies account management and audit trails, ensuring sensitive business information stays protected. Additionally, clear separation improves focus and reduces the chances of accidental errors, like sending confidential business emails from personal accounts. It's a simple yet powerful strategy to safeguard both professional and personal digital worlds.

Be Mindful of Others and How They See You — Don’t Make Yourself a Target

If someone can peer through your front door and see your office (and all of that yummy expensive equipment just sitting there), this is a risk. It’s a risk because someone scoping out your home for a potential burglary or break-in will target small businesses. This is also relevant to equipment with street-facing windows. People walking by can see you busily at work on oh-so delicious computers that' they’d love to steal to fund their drug habits. Be aware of what your small office looks like to others.

Remote work expands opportunities but also increases risk. By implementing these measures, you can secure your business while keeping your team productive and safe.

R