Social networks and work: how to reconcile the two worlds and keep your company safe?
Sharing our daily lives on social networks is such a common habit that we no longer reflect that much before posting something new. And, considering that work is part of this daily routine, it is very possible that professional environments, achievements, and relationships are the subject of posts in many personal profiles of company employees.
As harmless as it may seem, this behavior carries some risks that can affect your company, your colleagues, and even you.
How can the use of social networks at work affect the security of your company?
The hidden danger behind this innocent habit lies in the fact that just like your friends and family follow your news online, others can do the same: your leaders, your colleagues, your customers and prospects, your competitors, and even cybercriminals.
Your posts may contain information that can be used to create a scam targeted specifically at your company, which could lead to anything from infecting the corporate network with malware to leaking confidential data.
Social network at work: can the two go together?
The truth is that today it is unrealistic to expect that personal and professional life not to mix. It is common for moments at work to be shared on social networks and for employees to use their personal devices to deal with work.
Therefore, the best course of action is for everyone to follow clear guidelines set by the company and to pay attention to details before acting.
Below are some guidelines for employees to safely use social networks!
Cybersecurity tips for network use at work
- Remain abreast with company policies
If you, as an employee, want to share moments with colleagues and clients on social networks, or even celebrate new projects and achievements, check what your company's policies are on this matter. Some clients may require discretion about certain projects, for example; or, perhaps, your company does not want to be associated with certain discourses or environments.
Ideally, you should consult a human resources representative to clarify what can and cannot be posted.
- Be careful where you click!
This tip is even more important if you use social networks on company devices. Never click on suspicious links to promotions that seem too good to be true, excessively scandalous news, or those originating from unknown profiles. Additionally, never download files from senders that look suspicious. You may unintentionally leave the company vulnerable to a virus that could infect the entire corporate network.
- Pay attention to details
When sharing images taken in the workplace, whether at the office, at a coffee shop, or at your desk at home, pay attention to everything that appears in the image. Make sure that no confidential information appears in the background, on the computer screen, on post-its, or on documents left on the desk.
- Consider making your social networks more private
A good option to prevent people outside your trusted circle from accessing your content is to increase the privacy of your accounts. In your profile settings, you can decide whether only followers and friends can see your posts, or whether they are public to everyone.
By following these guidelines, you can use social networks with greater peace of mind, without the risk of jeopardizing your colleagues, your company or yourself!
