Security Policies for Employees Returning to the Office & Working Remotely
As we reach Phase 3 of the province’s re-opening plan, many individuals are coming back to the office but also receiving the option to work in a hybrid-model, meaning workdays are split between the home and office. With this change in structure, it’s critical for businesses to assess their security policies and the use of confidential documents at remote locations.
In a study conducted by Symantec, 66% of 3,300 respondents said they rarely erase confidential company data after using it on their personal devices. When asked why they didn't erase this data, 69 per cent said it takes too much time, 42 per cent said management doesn't really care, 38 per cent said no one will know whether it was done or not and 36 per cent said no policy required them to do the erasing.
With so many employees now printing and accessing information from their homes, it’s important to assess risks and develop a plan of action.
What steps should be taken for risk mitigation?
Create data security policies and a formal strategy for individuals working remotely.
If these policies aren’t in place, there is a high risk of data breaches due to a lack of clarity. Your strategy should include everything from how to protect data and resources, and also a plan of action for what to do if something goes wrong. Recent studies have shown that when employees began working from home at the beginning of the pandemic, there were no proper policies in place for disposing of confidential company data.
Educate your employees.
Training and education is essential for employees to clearly understand what is expected when accessing information, both in the workspace and from remote locations. Take the time needed to ensure all employees understand the proper safeguards and procedures put in place.
Ensure proper technology protection is in place.
Everything from security protection software, malware protection, safeguarding passwords, proper destruction of hardware and more are all critical to keep company data safe. If you’re not sure where to start, there are many options available for detailed training and consulting on data security and protection protocols.
As employees make their return to the workplace, it’s important to be proactive in these tactics to ensure high levels of security for company information. Having on-site bins, creating policies for employees to understand how to dispose of information printed at home, and being clear on accessing company data on personal devices are all critical steps for successful security policies.
At Merlin, we offer shredding at residential locations, provide secure bins at company locations, destroy hardware, and complete all shredding on-site.
For more information, request a quote or contact us today.