Security Hygiene: It’s the Little Things
Most corporate data breaches aren’t the result of sophisticated hacking—they’re caused by everyday sloppiness. A misplaced laptop, a sticky note with a password, or a sensitive conversation overheard in a hallway can open the door to serious security risks.
That’s why experts stress the importance of basic security hygiene. Here are simple, practical habits every employee should adopt to help keep company data safe:
- Erase whiteboards after meetings. Don’t leave sensitive notes or diagrams visible. Wipe them clean before leaving the room.
- Lock your screen when you step away. Set your computer to auto-lock after a few minutes of inactivity, and manually lock it when you leave your desk.
- Wear your access badge—and check others’. Display your badge at all times in secure areas, and politely challenge anyone without one.
- Avoid tailgating. Don’t let someone follow you into a secure area unless you know they’re authorized to be there.
- Keep your workspace tidy. Don’t leave confidential documents, USB drives, or devices unattended. Lock them up when not in use.
- Don’t use personal devices for work. Avoid accessing sensitive company systems from unsecured personal phones or laptops.
- Be cautious with printers and copiers. Retrieve printed documents immediately and avoid leaving originals or copies behind.
- Report lost devices immediately. If your laptop, phone, or badge goes missing, notify Security and IT right away.
- Be mindful of conversations. Avoid discussing sensitive topics in public areas or over unsecured channels.
- Update software regularly. Install updates and patches promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities. This is especially important for those (that is most of us!) who use our phones or home PCs to do part of our jobs.
