Summer is a popular time for business owners and employees to leave the office and take a well-deserved vacation. Even with their “out of office” email responder active, many people still check in on work at least once while traveling. Unfortunately, studies show that working outside the office—a few simple check-ins on vacation, connecting to the Internet at a local coffee shop, or even business travelers out on work trips—can lead to significant cybersecurity issues. Suppose you or your employees will answer urgent emails from the airport or access network documents in the hotel lobby. In that case, it’s essential to maintain strong cybersecurity best practices to avoid exposing the company’s network to nearby hackers.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best cybersecurity practices for keeping your network secure from hackers before and during any trip, empowering you to protect your digital assets.
Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling
Cybersecurity might not be at the top of your vacation checklist, but it's a crucial aspect that should not be ignored. Cybercriminals know summer is a prime time to attack because people are likelier to let their guard down while on vacation. Most vacationers focus on enjoying time out of the office instead of ensuring they’re following cybersecurity best practices, making them an easy target for hackers. By being aware of this, you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your data during your vacation.
To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are a few best practices that are easy to implement and can be shared with anyone on your team who might connect to the Internet while on vacation. By following these simple steps, you can significantly enhance your network's security and enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
Before You Go:
- Back-Up Your Data: If your device gets lost or damaged, you’ll want a copy of your data available to be restored.
- Update Your Software: Ensure your operating system software, web browsers, and apps have all been updated to the latest version. Outdated software can impact your device’s ability to defend against malware.
- Protect Your Devices: Always lock your device using a PIN, passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition feature. If you haven’t already done so, set this up before traveling. If you leave your device unattended and someone attempts to access it, they will have full access to your private information if it’s not locked.
- Enable “Find My Phone”: This feature will allow you to locate your device if you lose it, but it also gives you the power to 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 is secure even when you use public Wi-Fi networks. Before you leave, set up a VPN on your devices and use it whenever you access the Internet.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: While it offers convenience, it can also be a hotspot 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 help navigate new places but can also expose your location to criminals. Turn off location services when you’re not actively using that feature, 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 verification form, such as a text message, authenticator code, or fingerprint scan. This feature should be enabled for all accounts containing sensitive information before leaving your house.
- Disable Auto-Connect Features: Some devices automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. If you connect to the wrong network, these features can give cybercriminals access to your devices. Disable this option so you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks you know and trust.
Enjoy Your Vacation Worry-Free
You should be able to relax on vacation. These simple precautions can help keep your device secure so you can enjoy your time off and not worry about dealing with cyber issues when you return to work.
However, these steps aren’t fail-proof. To ensure that your company’s cybersecurity measures are up to standard, you need to work with a professional IT team that can monitor your network 24/7, patch any vulnerabilities that pop up (which happen 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 517-928-2436 or click here to schedule a FREE IT Security Risk Assessment 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.
