{"id":106984,"date":"2019-11-01T17:26:08","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T17:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/?post_type=resources&p=106984"},"modified":"2025-06-24T16:58:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:58:40","slug":"security-factsheet-keeping-your-workplace-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/resources\/doc\/2019\/keeping-your-workplace-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Security Factsheet: Keeping Your Workplace Safe Online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: This factsheet was written in collaboration with Next Century Cities<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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For many of us the Internet is a staple in our day-to-day lives \u2013 especially at our jobs. But did you know that by simply connecting your device to WiFi or delaying computer and software updates can put you and your workplace at risk of a cyberattack?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any time you go online you\u2019re using a gateway to the Internet. At work, this is usually either a WiFi or ethernet connection. When you connect a device to that gateway, it has a path to all other devices using that same gateway. That\u2019s why your mobile phone can sync with your smart watch. However, if gateways and devices are not secure, bad actors could also get access to your laptop and other devices using the same connection.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t put yourself or your coworkers at risk!<\/p>\n

If you work for a company or agency that has sensitive or private information stored on its devices (especially in government or related services), it is critical to make sure that only secure, trusted devices have access to that network.<\/p>\n

Here are 8 easy ways to help keep you, your colleagues, and your workplace network safe online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1. Don\u2019t connect your Internet-connected smart devices to your work WiFi network.<\/h6>\n

If you connect an insecure or vulnerable device (like an knock-off watch or smart assistant) to your work WiFi network, it can be used to infiltrate the network as a whole.<\/p>\n

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Example<\/strong>: A fish tank thermometer was used by hackers<\/a>[1]<\/sup><\/a> to steal a casino\u2019s database!<\/p>\n

Fix<\/strong>: Leave your smart devices at home. If you need them for work, either connect them to a guest network or one that doesn\u2019t have access to the same devices where sensitive information is stored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2. Don\u2019t use smart assistants in the same room where sensitive or private meetings take place.<\/h6>\n

Smart assistants are inherently insecure because their job is to constantly listen for a \u201cwake\u201d word that gives a command. They can also record what they hear \u2013 without your knowledge\u2013 and store it in company databases to help improve the service. If you\u2019re having sensitive conversations, they may be picked up, saved, and heard by employees of the smart assistant\u2019s parent company.<\/p>\n

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Example<\/strong>: Amazon Alexa employees may be listening to your conversations<\/a>.[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Fix<\/strong>: Leave personal assistant devices at home. If you need to bring a smart assistant to work, disable the listening mode or make sure your colleagues are aware and place it in a place where conversations are public like a lobby.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

3. Do your homework before buying a new smart device.<\/h6>\n

With the ever-growing number of connected devices hitting store shelves each year, it can be hard to tell which products were designed to keep you and your data safe online. Here are two tip sheets to help you keep security and privacy in mind when buying and setting up new devices.<\/p>\n