Ensuring the security of your staff's devices when they work from home is essential to protect your business data and maintain smooth operations. Remote work means devices like laptops, tablets, or smartphones are outside your usual office network, increasing the chance of cyber threats such as malware infections, data breaches, or accidental data loss.
For Australian small and medium businesses, unsecured home devices can lead to costly downtime, loss of sensitive customer or employee information, and damage to your reputation. Additionally, many businesses must meet privacy and data protection standards, so weak device security can put you at risk of non-compliance and potential penalties.
Real-World Example
Consider a 50-employee accounting firm based in Melbourne. When the firm transitioned to remote work, some staff used personal laptops without proper security controls. One device was infected with ransomware after connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, locking critical client files. Because the firm hadn't enforced strong device security or regular backups, they faced several days of downtime and costly recovery efforts. A managed IT provider later helped them implement device management policies, endpoint protection, and secure remote access, significantly reducing future risks.
Key Steps to Secure Staff Devices Working from Home
- Use device management tools: Ask your IT provider about Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to monitor and control devices remotely.
- Enforce strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA): Ensure all devices and business applications require complex passwords and MFA to reduce unauthorized access.
- Keep software and security patches up to date: Regularly update operating systems, antivirus, and applications to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Secure internet connections: Encourage or provide staff with VPN access to encrypt data traffic between home devices and your business network.
- Backup critical data: Verify that important files on staff devices are backed up securely to your cloud or on-premises systems.
- Educate your team: Provide simple cybersecurity training focused on recognising phishing attempts, safe internet habits, and reporting suspicious activity.
- Review access permissions: Regularly check who has access to sensitive systems and data, adjusting rights as needed.
Questions to Ask Your IT Provider
- What device security and monitoring tools do you recommend for remote workers?
- How do you handle software updates and patch management for home devices?
- Can you help implement MFA and VPN solutions for secure access?
- What backup strategies do you suggest for remote device data?
- How do you support staff cybersecurity awareness and incident response?
Securing staff devices outside the office requires a combination of technology, policies, and ongoing support. Working with a trusted managed IT provider or advisor can help you put practical controls in place tailored to your business size and needs. This reduces cyber risks, protects your data, and supports compliance without overwhelming your team.