Coworking has completely changed the traditional approach to work. Millennials, in particular, have taken advantage of this trend as 78% of the coworking workforce is under 40. Working in a big, communal co-working space has its benefits, but there are security concerns like internet and data safety. For those who have set up a coworking space, they must be able to protect their various clients to ensure that they keep coming back. In an era where data attacks happen nearly every second, what smart office technology can you employ to protect network security in a shared workspace?

Data Risks

The flexibility and independence of a coworking space can bring in an interesting mix of people. Because of this, there can be some security threats, especially as employees rely more and more on their online workspaces. Cybercriminals are evolving and are able to infiltrate a company’s defenses quickly. It is up the coworking space to protect their clients.

Coworking offices can fall victim to WiFi sniffing, which is a way hackers can examine the data transferred over public networks. This means they can gain access to everything from usernames, passwords, and your browser history. Because of this, it is no longer enough to just have password protected WiFi.

WiFi Security

The WiFi is often the entry point for cybercriminals, so it is vital that it is protected. Network security basics include using a firewall and ensuring that all data that passes through the router is encrypted.

Share your wifi securely at your workplace. At the very least, you should frequently change passwords, or require an automatic login update every month for all your users. Because hackers can gain entry from inside the network, even seemingly harmless activities can help them gain access. By changing the passwords, it can go a long way to protecting network security.

The Impact of IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing coworking spaces, and it enables the technology required to collect data. IoT security methods should be considered from the start. Coworking spaces must make their hardware tamperproof, ensure the updates are secure, provide firmware updates, and perform dynamic testings. Having a dedicated solution developer to secure software development can protect your network security.

Blocking Websites

Coworking spaces can take a page out of Starbucks book, which announced they will block access to pornographic sites on its free WiFi in all of its US locations. Blocking websites is often common practice for offices and can help increase WiFi security because people won’t be visiting sites that are potentially vulnerable to cyber attacks. You can use an IP filtering system that can help reduce harmful data sharing or block unwanted traffic. By taking these small measures, you can improve the network performance overall.

Educate Employees and Users

Most cyber attacks happen due to human error, so simply educating employees and coworking space users about how to safely use the internet can be helpful. Amongst your employees, you can teach the proper processes for keeping the network secure.

There are also other steps you can take, outside of the network. Make sure that you keep the building itself secure, and perhaps have keyless locks on the doors so you can control who can come in and out of the building. By having a procedure and plan in place, you can protect network security in your shared coworking space.