By: Laurel Farrer

Have you ever caught up with your inbox at Starbucks? Do you sit next to strangers at coworking or coliving spaces? Do you use the same password for multiple accounts? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you could be putting your company in serious virtual danger.

Like Jason Fried stated in his book, Remote, “These days, security for your devices is simply good sense, like using your seatbelt.”

Here are ten tips for keeping your team members and your company safe around the web, and around the world:

1. Don’t assume that all of your team members know how to protect their devices, or that they understand the importance of information security. Make sure they are fully educated by integrating training into your company’s onboarding process, clearly delineating what is considered sensitive or private information. Be sure to provide security tools to all of your team members for free.

2. Install anti-viral software, web filtering, firewalls, and encryption tools. Regularly remind team members to update their software and/or activate automatic updates from software makers.

3. Encourage the use of 2-factor authentications, website encryption, automatic device locking after short periods of inactivity, and/or a password manager. Tip: Our community’s favorite (unsponsored) recommendation is LastPass.

4. Create a secure connection to the company network using a virtual private network (VPN) software.

5. Install remote-wipe apps on mobile devices, in case of theft or loss.

6. Use cloud applications as much as possible for easy remote account management.

7. Remind employees that sensitive information should be kept protected when in the presence of roommates, family members, cafe patrons, coworking office mates, etc.  

8. Provide team members with portable wifi connections to discourage the access of sensitive material on open, public connections.

9. Integrate cybersecurity into your culture with regular checks and reminders to keep the importance of protection fresh on your team’s mind.

10. Require that an Information Security Agreement and Nondisclosure Agreement be signed by every freelancer and employee who works with your company.

How do you ensure your distributed company’s information is secure? Tweet us @yonder_io to share your best practices!