Support
(587) 745-0366
During a crisis, life can be more stressful than ever. In the era of social distancing, thousands of people across the world are learning how to work from home for the very first time. For many, this means setting up a home office – a professional setting to work and interact with your colleagues, all set up in the confines of your own home. But how do you go about setting up a home office, and how can you make yours as efficient and organized as possible? Here are our top 6 tips on how to set up your home office with the same productivity, connection, and security as your work office.
Tips for Setting Up Your Home Office Space
Location, Location, Location
The first step to creating your own home office is deciding where it should be located. You’ll want to ensure your space has easy access to outlets, at least one window, and preferably two or more other light sources such as a desk lamp. While outlets make sure your devices are always ready to go, you’ll likely be looking at a monitor for much of the day, so ample light is key to protecting your eyes.
Stay Organized
Staying organized is the key to maintaining your productivity while working from home. Good organization ensures that nothing gets lost among piles of paperwork, and you won’t be scrambling to find a document during an important call.
Have Trustworthy Cybersecurity
If you were working in an office before self-isolating, it’s likely you didn’t have much to do with the management of cybersecurity. At home, it’s a different story, and you’ll need to do some research to make sure your data and information are being properly protected. There are plenty of tips on improving the security of your online data out there. If you’re working from your own computer and devices, ask your employer if they have a BYOD policy and be sure you understand your rights and obligations.
Be Prepared For Video Conferences
Video conferences are likely already a common occurrence in your life. To get the most out of these online meetings, you’ll need to pay attention to some factors you may not have previously considered. Ensure that you have optimal lighting in your office space, as well as a functioning camera on your monitor. You’ll also want to be sure your microphone works, and if not, you’ll want to invest in a new one or request one from your employer.
Have Access to High-Speed Internet
When working from home, an internet connection is perhaps the most important aspect to pay attention to. You’re likely used to having constant high-speed internet at the office, but home might be a different story. You may need devices like WiFi extenders to guarantee a great connection for video conferencing calls.
Keep in mind that there are different factors that go into your home’s internet speeds. Another factor to consider is that your family will be sharing the internet with you – make sure the internet’s up to their standards, too. Your company may be paying for your internet utilities during this time; if so, contact them to see if they’d be willing to pay a little more for a better connection and higher speeds.
Watch Out for Social Engineering Tactics
With COVID-19 keeping many people at home, cybercriminals have more time on their hands. Social engineering tactics try to confuse people into giving away credentials or other important information. If you think you can’t be fooled, think again! Many of these tactics are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to spot. Read more about social engineering and how to steer clear, and ask your employer if there’s a policy in place to help you deal with potential threats.
Managing Online Operations with Support
Going fully online is a tough change to make, especially when it’s so unexpected. If you need support in setting up or maintaining your home office’s network, get in touch with our experts. Working from home can be less challenging with professionals on your side and ready to help.
