Working from home offers plenty of advantages – flexibility, comfort, and the ability to skip the daily commute… Plus plenty more. But it also brings new responsibilities, particularly when it comes to security, and whether you’re handling sensitive data, attending virtual meetings, or you just really want to protect your equipment, creating a secure home office is more important than ever.

The fact is that the shift to remote work has made our homes an extension of the workplace, which means it’s time to start thinking about security a little differently – it’s not someone else’s problem anymore. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to create a secure home office. 

Have Good Digital Habits

Most people are familiar with the basics: use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid unsecured networks… We’ve known all that for a long time, and hopefully you’re already doing all of that and more. But remember: when your home becomes your main office, these measures are just the beginning, and you’ll need to do more as well. 

A secure home office should include up-to-date antivirus software, regular system backups, and clear boundaries around how devices are used, especially if other people in your home share the space (the last thing you’ll want is for someone to innocently use your computer and accidentally cause a security issue!). If you’re working with client or company data, following proper rules is a good habit to get into – in fact, it’s absolutely crucial. 

Physical Security Is Also Important 

Digital safety is only part of the picture, and there are other things you’ll need to think about as well – physical security aspects, in other words. After all, many remote workers now use high-value tech at home, from laptops and monitors to printers and hard drives, and you’re probably the same – these tools are essential to your work, but they also make your home more appealing to potential intruders who know it’s likely you’ve got this kind of thing in your home. 

That’s where physical security comes in so important and is something you really need to get right. For example, a quality CCTV installation can add a layer of protection to your property, helping to deter break-ins and provide peace of mind – especially if your workspace is on the ground floor or it’s in a garden room (which is a great thing when it comes to your work-life balance, but potentially problematic when it comes to security). CCTV is just a smart addition for anyone working with expensive equipment or confidential materials.

Keep Your Setup Organised And Secure

A tidy workspace isn’t just about making things look nice and neat – it’s about security, too. If you know where things are and everything has a dedicated place, it’s going make things easier for you to use them, but also easier to keep them protected, so store important documents in a lockable cabinet, for example, shut down devices when you’re not using them, and ensure backups are saved securely – this last one could save the day if the worst were to happen. And, if your home office is used by others when you’re not working, make sure clear boundaries are in place and they don’t touch your stuff – it might seem like a small thing, but it could make a difference. 

On top of that, small things like regularly updating your passwords and securing your Wi-Fi network can go a long way in keeping everything nice and safe – it’s better to do it and be on the safe side than run the risk of not doing it at all.