Remote Work Security: Your Employees' Homes Are Your New Office

Every Home Network Is Now Your Business Network

Your employee's teenager gaming, spouse streaming Netflix, and smart doorbell are all on the same network as your business data. That's the remote work reality.

The Remote Work Security Nightmare

• Unsecured Home WiFi: 70% still use default router passwords
• Personal Devices: That laptop also has dating apps and games
• Family Access: Kids using work computer for homework
• Public WiFi: Coffee shop work = public data exposure
• No IT Support: Problems get "fixed" by googling

Real Remote Work Breaches

Accounting Firm: Employee's teen installed game mod. Ransomware spread to company network. $75,000 recovery cost.

Sales Company: CRM accessed from coffee shop WiFi. Entire customer database stolen.

Law Office: Personal laptop with client files stolen from car. Malpractice lawsuit pending.

Simple Remote Work Security Rules

1. VPN Always: $5/month per user. Non-negotiable.
2. Work Device = Work Only: No exceptions
3. Screen Lock: 5-minute timeout, always
4. Secure Video Calls: Blur backgrounds, use waiting rooms
5. No Public WiFi: Use phone hotspot instead

Setting Up Secure Remote Work (Per Employee)

• Week 1: Install business VPN and password manager
• Week 2: Secure home router (new password, WPA3)
• Week 3: Set up cloud backup for work files
• Week 4: Security training and phishing test

Tools That Actually Work

Need	Solution	Cost
VPN	NordLayer, Perimeter 81	$7/user/month
Password Manager	Bitwarden, 1Password	$3/user/month
File Sharing	ShareFile, Box	$10/user/month
Device Management	Microsoft Intune	$8/user/month

Emergency Response Plan

When (not if) something goes wrong:

1. Disconnect device from internet immediately
2. Change all passwords from different device
3. Alert IT support or manager within 1 hour
4. Document what happened in detail
5. Review and learn from incident