Most businesses always focus on cybersecurity policies and systems. But sometimes they neglect physical security. Yet, physical security is just as important as cybersecurity, and your desk can be a playground for snooping eyes or wandering fingers if you’re not careful. Thus, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to secure the items around you, including the ones on your desk. Here are 10 you should not leave lying around:
1. Your Wallet
Your wallet holds important items, such as your cash, driver’s license or ID card and your debit or credit cards. When you have it just lying around on your desk, it’s easy for someone to look at and gather crucial information about where you live or your CVV number from the back of your credit card. They can even steal your money. So, it’s important to keep your wallet on you at all times and teach your team to do the same.
2. USB Devices
When you leave USB devices, such as a thumb drive with your client sales data or memory cards that store proprietary marketing data, on your desk your making it easy for individuals to take sensitive data. These devices typically aren’t encrypted, which makes it easy to access private data. Make sure you lock it up and add passwords to devices.
3. Passwords
You should never leave out a password on your desk, even if you’re temporarily writing it down on a piece of paper or sticky note. People who pass by can easily spot the password or even take the sticky note with them. Instead, consider using a password manager.
4. Legal Paperwork
No one needs to review your legal paperwork, especially when you’re not by your desk. Lock this information up as soon as you leave.
5. Your Keys
Your keys can give someone access to unlock important cabinets in the office, doors to on-site servers or even your home. Be careful and avoid leaving your keys at your desk. Also, consider using a device to locate your keys in the event you misplace them.
6. Calendar or Day Planners
Sometimes employees may leave private sales information in their day planners or calendars. So, it’s important to put away these items when you’re leaving the desk.
7. Unlocked Devices
Put a lock screen on your devices, especially your cell phone. Set it to lock soon as you stop using it. This ensures that no one can use it.
8. Access Cards
Your badge should be on you at all times. This helps reduce the risk of unauthorized persons from accessing different parts of the building.
9. Whiteboard
Sometimes customer information is written on Whiteboards during sales meetings. Make sure your staff erases this before leaving the boardroom.
10. Paper Documents
Paper documents, such as customer credit applications and printouts of customer account profiles, often have sensitive information on them, including Social Security numbers, customer birthdates, order history, credit card information and other financial data. Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean that everyone has the best intentions. That’s why it’s critical to educate your employees and teach them good physical security habits, such as locking up sensitive information. You should also train your team to not leave any sensitive information out in the open when they are not at their desks. This helps to safeguard the information from falling into the wrong hands.
Final Thoughts
Securing the items for your desk is essential to safeguarding your company’s trade secrets, your personal information and your client’s sensitive data. By putting these best practices into place, you can ensure you and your employees are taking the necessary steps to keep your desk items secure.