Securing your home office: ways to do it
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You might not think about it too much, but your home office is a vulnerable place. You probably spend most of your time at work or in the comfort of your own home, so you may not often think about the security measures to take for this space.
But if you are running a business out of your house and there is valuable information stored on any device plugged into the network, securing your home office should be a top priority.
Here are ways to secure your home office so that both you and others feel safe.
Use the Right Materials and Accessories for the Job
It is crucial to choose the right materials and accessories for your home office. You need a desk with enough space for everything you need, including a computer monitor, mouse, keyboard and paperwork (if required).
A good rule of thumb is that every inch of your desk should equal one foot—this way, it will always be big enough but not too large. You also need the perfect chair that lets you sit up straight, which also provides ample back support.
You can even consider buying two chairs so that there are backups when they get old or dirty. This would be an extra cost, though, so weigh this option out before deciding whether you want more than one chair in your office.
Cord management devices that keep your cables organized and untangled. It is crucial to find a way to organize the wires so that they do not get in the way of you walking around or stepping on them accidentally, which can cause tripping hazards.
Get Your Home Warranty
While it may not be as intuitive or exciting as other smart home devices, a home warranty is an invaluable asset to have. A cheap insurance policy can save you hundreds if something goes wrong with your home appliances, but a warranty ensures that you’re covered for specific events.
Warranties are not typically thought about when securing your home from burglars or other invaders. However, they can be one of the most cost-effective solutions on the market. The right warranty will provide peace of mind and cover any damage caused by potential break-ins at a fraction of what it would otherwise cost you.
Be Strict with Your Maintenance Schedule
Make it a habit to check all of your machines for damage or signs that they may be breaking down soon. If you are too busy to do it yourself, hire an outside company to come in once a month and ensure everything is running smoothly.
Don’t forget about things like HVAC systems and roofing, either. If there were ever a good reason to get on top of maintenance schedules as quickly as possible, this would be it since those two items need regular attention from professionals who know what they’re doing.
Organization is Key
One of the most common ways to secure your home office is through organization. However, to be truly effective, you will have to go about this just as much in your digital life as you will in your physical one.
The first step is to ensure you have a sound filing system for all of your essential information. It can be pretty difficult but it is far easier if you go by the colour-coding method—for example, green folders are for personal files, and red ones are reserved just for financial records that need to stay secure.
Another thing that should be done as soon as possible after setting up your office is to set up an automatic shredder and ensure that you use it regularly. This will help prevent identity theft and fraud. People tend to throw away crucial financial information without realizing how easy it would be for someone else to take advantage of those scraps of paper.
Use Technology to Track and Monitor Activities
Buy a home security system. There are many modern and affordable options available for your place of business or workspace at home. You can choose from outdoor, indoor, smoke detectors and more.
Get cameras installed around the house, so you know what is going on when you’re away. People don’t realize how much it costs to figure out that something suspicious happened after returning from vacation or an extended stay outside of their office/home setup.
In the long run, it will be cheaper to invest in this technology now than pay hundreds later trying to replace any damaged items caused by theft.
There are a few ways to make your home office more secure. To protect your computer, you can use a firewall or antivirus software. You should also be aware of cyber security threats that are growing every day to stay safe online. If someone is trying to access the files on your home network, they will need two-factor authentication before gaining access through this method.