Secure Remote Working - Device Considerations

Overview and User Considerations	Technical Considerations	Secure Use of Collaboration Tools	Device Considerations

Background With the increase in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and remote working, it is important to be mindful of what and how devices are used to conduct business activities. Each type of device be it a router, smartphone, laptop or tablet can be used to remote work which if not properly secured, become a target for compromise. It is important to remember that these devices and the software that runs on them should be used for unclassified and non-sensitive work only. This page will provide some tips and tricks as well as some common risks and security issues that come along with a BYOD model. Risks and Security Concerns Personal Devices in an enterprise work environment can create security risk some of which include: Target for Social Engineering - Attackers tailor attacks towards certain individuals based on collect personal data or interests. Data Loss and Data Leaks - Sensitive data being dispersed to people who should not have access to it or erased/destroyed all together. Lack of Patch Management - Attackers can leverage out-of-date and flawed software to exploit and gain access to a device. Device/Asset Loss - Theft or loss of a device which cannot be accounted for. Weak Anti-virus or Firewall Configurations - Attackers can exploit these weak security postures to gain access to a device. These are a subset of a large list of potential areas of exploitation if a device is not secured adequately. Device Security Recommendations Using personal devices when working in an unclassified and non-sensitive environment is encouraged, however employee's should keep in mind best practices and recommendations when using these devices. Some general ways to protect personal devices of any kind include: Lock device with a strong password, PIN or bio-metric if applicable. Apply updates to software applications and operating systems regularly. Do not leave devices unattended especially in public places. Avoid installing non-approved apps. Disable or avoid using the "remember me" feature for password and credential storing. Avoid using free charging stations. Be aware of your surroundings. Smartphones and related mobile devices Smartphones enable us to have a direct connection to conferences, team meetings and collaboration applications. If left unprotected, devices can become and easy target for attackers. While there are many mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, etc..., each device usually features the same types of communications, security settings, and in some cases share the same operating systems. Bluetooth For devices that have bluetooth capabilities, consider the following: Disable bluetooth when not in use. Turn off "discovery" or broadcast mode. Avoid pairing the device via bluetooth in a public space. Do not use bluetooth keyboards to type sensitive text. Pair with only recognized devices such as personal headphones or home audio systems. For Apple devices, disable the AirDrop feature.