We get it – As a small business owner, you wear many hats. Often, a small business owner is in charge of many business areas that would typically be separate departments in a larger organisation, such as finance, marketing and IT. Being so embedded in your business often makes it nearly impossible for small business owners to switch off and unplug when away from the business.
We understand you want to check in on your business while you are abroad, but it is essential to do so without putting your business at risk. The summer holiday season is a prime time for cyberattacks, with many business owners becoming less vigilant due to their absence, resulting in increased workloads for their teams and greater vulnerability to threats.
The Risks of Working on Holiday
You might think you’re being proactive by checking your emails or working on projects on holiday. However, this could expose your business to significant risks:
- Distraction – The holiday environment is full of distractions. This can lead to careless mistakes, such as interacting with malicious websites or communications or forgetting to log out of sensitive accounts.
- Weakened security posture – When you’re not in the office, your usual security measures might be compromised. This could include leaving business devices unattended, using public Wi-Fi or neglecting software updates.
- Increased vulnerability – Cybercriminals are aware that people are often less cautious when on holiday. They exploit this by sending targeted phishing emails or malicious links.
Cyber Security Tips for Working on Holiday
While it’s tempting to dive into your inbox the moment you have a spare minute, it is crucial to prioritise your security. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Limit access – Before you leave, restrict access to sensitive systems and data. Use multifactor authentication to add security to all business accounts.
- Be cautious with emails – Avoid opening emails from unknown senders and be wary of unexpected attachments or links. For more information, read our previous article explaining how to protect yourself from social engineering attacks.
- Secure your devices – Ensure your laptop, smartphone, and other devices are up to date and running effective security software.
- Use strong, unique passwords – Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
- Beware of public Wi-Fi – Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for accessing business data, instead use mobile data.
- Backup up your data – Use cloud solutions to ensure your data is accessible from anywhere even if your device is unavailable.
- Stay informed – Keep up to date with the latest threat landscape and security tips and tricks. We recommend following CTRL-S on LinkedIn, where we share regular insights and helpful suggestions.
The role of CTRL-S
Managing a business can be overwhelming, especially regarding IT and Cyber Security. That’s where an IT partnership can be invaluable. A partnership with CTRL-S can provide the following benefits for your business when you or a member of your team are on holiday:
- Proactive monitoring – We continually monitor your devices and Microsoft 365 accounts for suspicious activity and report back to you if we find anything
- Expert support – Our team are on hand to help you and your team should any IT issues arise, allowing you to focus on your holiday, not your business’s systems.
- Security best practices – CTRL-S can help you implement and maintain strong security measures and educate you and your team on how to stay secure in the current business world.
- Remote working solutions – We have a wealth of experience across our team setting up systems that work from anywhere for any business. We can ensure your access away from the office is the same as in the office, without compromising on security.
By partnering with CTRL-S, you can gain peace of mind knowing your business is protected and the IT systems are running, even when you’re enjoying your holiday.
Remember, taking a short break is essential for both your wellbeing and productivity, by following these tips you can enjoy your holiday without compromising your businesses security. Get in touch to speak to our team about ensuring your systems are designed and secured for true remote work.
