Working Remotely

by Skip KimpelJune 16, 2020

Show Notes: Originally aired on June 16^th, 2020

Today’s show will cover the subject of working remotely. This is not an industry specific topic so please share with your friends and colleagues!

CONFERENCES:
FSTEC – Are you going? Any other restaurant industry-based conferences that you have heard of that are back on for this year?

Approaching working remotely from two different aspects:

As an employee – Equipment, etiquette, tools to make you more successful

– As an IT professional responsible for the mobile workforce

Video Conferencing:
Etiquette

Mute yourself when not speaking.
Be on time.
Ensure your technology works correctly.
Wear work-appropriate clothing.
Frame the camera correctly.
Have the right light.
Look into the camera.
Pay attention.

Lume Lights for making you look better:

Video Conference Lighting Kit

https://myproductiveplace.com/products/green-screen?variant=31836103704627&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwlZf3BRABEiwA8Q0qq-R0yH27FZmnchdOD8DSDGDDPBjJvIzP8NcDPQQd2mytVN9KLlnX-BoCzekQAvD_BwE

Remote Video Conferences Security

Password protect your meetings
Authenticate users
Join before host
Lock down your meeting
Use a randomly-generated id
Avoid file sharing
Check for updates

Great video conferencing software feature comparison chart on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_web_conferencing_software

Security plan for an individual

Protect devices with an antivirus solution
Update programs and operating systems
Configure wi-fi encryption
Change your router login and password (no defaults)
Use a VPN service if connecting to a wi-fi network that doesn’t below to you
- Express VPN: https://www.expressvpn.com
- SufShark: https://surfshark.com
Lock your device before walking away
User corporate services for e-mail, messaging and all other work
Create strong passwords
Stay vigilant / email links, credentials, unusual requests.. double check everything
Keep your work separate from personal

General individual good practices

Track your progress – be ready to report on what you ‘ve done and how much time it took
Try to work normal office hours
Create a comfortable workspace – desk, well lit room, standing up, stretch your legs, drink water, get plenty of sleep and don’t skip meals.
Be transparent and communicate everything

For those that are running departments and responsible for your remote workers:

Make sure that staff know what to do if their device is lost or stolen.
Work schedule policies and expectations must be communicated
Encouraging Collaboration Keeps Teams Engaged

More to the techy side of the conversation

infrastructure to the cloud
- Servers
- Azure / AWS
- SaaS applications
- Office365

SECURITY
Observed security activity: (covid-19 themed operations and schemes)

eCrime
Targeted intrusion
Targeting remote services, SaaS
Vishing Robocall and Tech support scams

General security tactics and solutions
Crowdstrike whitepaper: https://go.crowdstrike.com/rs/281-OBQ-266/images/eBookCybersecurityCOVID-19.pdf

Make sure you have a current cybersecurity policy that includes remote working.
Sensitive data may be accessed through unsafe Wi-Fi networks.
Plan for BYOD (bring your own device) devices connecting to your organization
Personal devices will need to have the same level of security as a company-owned device
- User MDM solution

Vulnerability management with a distributed workforce