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 indicate that working outside the office—whether it's through quick check-ins during vacation, connecting to the Internet at a local café, or even business trips—can pose significant cybersecurity risks. If you or your team members plan to handle urgent emails from the airport or access network documents in a hotel lobby, it's crucial to adhere to strong cybersecurity practices to prevent exposing the company's network to nearby cybercriminals.
In this blog post, we'll discuss essential cybersecurity best practices to follow before and during any trip to safeguard your network from hackers.
Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling
Cybersecurity might not be on your vacation checklist, but neglecting it can turn your dream getaway into a nightmare. Cybercriminals know that summer is an ideal time to strike because people are more likely to let their guard down while on vacation. Most vacationers focus on enjoying their time away from the office, often overlooking cybersecurity best practices, making them easy targets for hackers.
To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are some best practices for your team members who might connect to the Internet during their vacation.
Before You Go:
- Back Up Your Data: Ensure you have a copy of your data in case your device is lost or damaged.
- Update Your Software: Make sure your operating system, web browsers, and apps are updated to the latest versions. Outdated software can compromise your device's ability to fend off malware.
- Protect Your Devices: Always lock your device with a PIN, passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition feature. Set this up before traveling to prevent unauthorized access if your device is left unattended.
- 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, securing your data even on public WiFi networks. Set up a VPN on your devices before you leave and use it whenever you access the Internet.
- Avoid Public WiFi: Public WiFi networks are 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 can help you navigate new places but can also expose your location to criminals. Turn off location services when not in use and limit 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 give cybercriminals access to your devices if you connect to the wrong network. Disable this option to ensure you only connect to trusted wireless and Bluetooth networks.
You should be able to relax on vacation. Taking these simple precautions can help secure your device so you can 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 working 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 seems suspicious.
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 813-689-1950 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.
