What You Need to Know About Physically Securing Your Devices

Introduction

A lot of cybersecurity awareness revolves around the digital security of all your devices…but how well do you take care of their physical security?

Data breaches don’t just happen when your computer gets infected with malware or you fall for a phishing scam. How often have you done the “phone, keys, wallet” check before you leave a venue? Thieves can steal your laptop out of your bag or your phone from your pocket, too. Then, they can crack your password and steal all your data directly!

5 Tips for Better Physical Security

Lock up important devices when you’re not using them, whether that’s leaving your cubicle to use the bathroom for a few minutes or keeping your home office locked when you throw a party. Insider threats are responsible for 60% of data breaches. Your coworkers, business partners, and third-party vendors are frequently passing your workstation and could look at your files if they’re not stored in a locked drawer or secured in some other way.

Just as you wouldn’t splay somebody else’s contracts on the desk during a meeting, you should make sure your immediate area is clear of confidential files before joining virtual meetings. Workplaces have many virtual meetings nowadays, and this simple step can be easily overlooked when you’re busy.

Leave it at home if you’re not going to use it. Although we can’t all stand to be without our cell phones for that long, maybe you can rethink bringing your laptop on vacation or leaving your tablet-filled backpack hanging on the coffee shop chair while you order. From there, they can easily take out your hard drive to read on a different machine, without having to guess your login!

Keep your eyes on ONLY the files you’re supposed to access. You are responsible for abiding your clearance level. You are just as capable of committing insider threats as anyone else in the organization — even by accident!

Conclusion

The physical security of your devices is just as important as their cybersecurity. Understanding some of the ways threat actors compromise devices directly clarifies simple ways to protect your tech on a daily basis.

Human error is responsible for 95% of data breaches. You can bring that number down by taking little steps to preserve your devices’ and data’s security every single day.

References

1. https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-and-physical-security-convergence

2. https://www.idwatchdog.com/insider-threats-and-data-breaches/

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