Protecting Data in Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are realizing the benefits of working in a collaborative environment. However, with this increase in popularity comes an increased risk of data theft and loss.

Clean Desk Policy

Before you start working in a co-working space, it’s important to be aware of the ways you can protect your data. One way to protect your data is by following the clean desk policy. This means that you should keep your work area clean and free of any papers or other materials that could contain sensitive information. 

View Sensitive Data in Private Areas

Viewing sensitive data in private areas is crucial to protecting the integrity of your information. If possible, you should view or work on sensitive data in your own office or cubicle or with your screen facing towards a wall, as opposed to the center of the communal space. This will help to protect your data from being seen by others who may not be authorized to view it. 

Use a VPN

Another way to protect your data is by using a VPN. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and protects your privacy. When you use a VPN, all of your internet traffic will be routed through the VPN server, which will protect your data from being intercepted by third parties. Working in public places such as a coffee shop or restaurant can pose a cybersecurity threat. Data breaches can cause a problem for not only you but your whole company. It’s important to utilize a VPN to protect your information as well as other employees and clients. 

Retrieve Printed Papers Immediately

Protect your data by retrieving printed papers immediately. You should not leave printed documents lying around in the co-working space. Instead, you should retrieve them as soon as possible and put them in a safe place.

If your co-working space doesn’t include a dedicated office that offers the proper space to safely store your documents, Augusta Data Storage offers off-site storage for all of your items. For your records that need to be stored, we offer record services that focus on safety, computer indexing and management. Our facility is NARA compliant and monitored 24/7 by our security surveillance. If you have media that needs to be stored, Augusta Data Storage offers our climate controlled vault for temperature sensitive items. 

Avoid Discarding Private Data

Finally, you should avoid discarding private data in the garbage or recycling bins. This means that you should shred any documents that contain sensitive information before you dispose of them. Also avoid leaving electronic devices, such as laptops or smartphones, in the garbage or recycling bins. Even if you have deleted the information on your electronic devices, your information can still be found. 

Augusta Data Storage offers shredding services for both paper and electronic items. We offer secure collection containers, or for smaller, one-off shredding needs, you can try our drop-off shredding service. 

Once your shredding service has been completed, we will provide you with a shredding certificate for your records.

Augusta Data Storage ensures that your items are always in good hands. Whether you decide to shred or store, you can trust that your items will always be secure. 

Call Augusta Data Storage today to get started with one of our services or visit our website for more information.