Secure Computing: Best Practices for Remote Workers

Safeguard Your Devices

It's important to safeguard your personal computers, mobile devices, tablets, and other devices while working remotely.

• Personal computers may be any brand, running a modern operating system that still receives security updates.
• The computer must be able to connect to Columbus State’s campus network and the Internet using Wi-Fi or a high-speed Ethernet connection.
• The computer must be equipped with virus protection and firewall software, which needs to be installed and running prior to connecting the computer to the Columbus State network.
• All persons who utilize Columbus State resources such as network, campus labs, etc., are expected to abide by the Information Technology Policy.

Computing Best Practices

1. Enable personal firewalls. 

• Learn how to enable your Windows firewalls or MacOS X firewalls.
• Note that Windows 10 and Windows 8 have a firewall already built in and automatically turned on

2. Perform regular operating system, software, and app updates. These updates often include security patches.

• Learn more about Windows and MacOS X operating system updates.

3. Use current and active antivirus and antispyware software. 

• Schedule daily antivirus updates and scans.
• Note that Windows 10 has Windows Defender Antivirus built in and automatically turned on.

4. Make sure your passwords are protected.

• ​​​​​​​Do not share passwords or write them down.

5. Connect to secured and trusted Wi-Fi, avoid free Wi-Fi.

• Create a strong, unique password for the Wi-Fi connection.
• Use latest encryption, WPA-2 or WPA-3 where possible.

6. Do not store college data on personal equipment.
    
7. Watch out for phishing scams and suspicious calls.

• Scammers often target holidays and large events
• If it looks suspicious, report it!

8. Lock your computer when not in use.
    
9. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where available.

Restricted & Privileged Data

Do not store restricted and privileged data on personal computing devices. Examples include:

• Attorney - Client Privileged Information
• Credit Card or Payment Card Industry (PCI) Information
• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Data
• IT Security Information
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Protected Health Information (PHI)
• Social Security Numbers
• Student Education Records (FERPA)
• Student Loan Application Information (GLBA)
• Other Sensitive Institutional Data