The office doesn’t look the way it used to — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Today, your team might be working from home, a library, a café in Brisbane, a coworking hub in Mackay, or even while travelling. These “third places” offer flexibility, freedom, and sometimes better coffee than the break room ever did.
But here’s the important question: are they secure?
Remote work is no longer temporary. It’s permanent. And that means your security policies need to reflect reality. A coffee shop is not your corporate office. It doesn’t have managed firewalls, monitored access, or enterprise-grade protections.
Without clear guidelines and the right IT Support, your company data could be exposed in seconds.
Public Wi-Fi is a known target for cybercriminals. If your employees are working remotely, they need more than flexibility — they need structure, tools, and clear expectations.
The Dangers of Open Networks
Free Wi-Fi is convenient. That’s exactly why it’s dangerous.
Cafes, malls, libraries, and coworking spaces rarely offer properly secured networks. Even when a password is required, it’s often shared widely and provides minimal protection compared to a secured business network.
This creates the perfect opportunity for cybercriminals to intercept traffic and steal login credentials, emails, and sensitive company information.
Worse still, attackers frequently set up fake networks with names like “Free Wi-Fi” or something nearly identical to the venue’s real name. Once an employee connects, everything they transmit can potentially be monitored. This is known as a “man-in-the-middle” attack — and it’s far from rare.
Businesses across Brisbane and Mackay are increasingly recognising that public network use must be managed, not left to chance. Employees should never assume a public connection is safe, even if it requires a password.
Mandating Virtual Private Networks
So what’s the solution?
A properly deployed and enforced VPN.
A Virtual Private Network encrypts all data leaving an employee’s device, creating a secure tunnel through the public internet. Even if someone intercepts the data, they won’t be able to read it.
But here’s where many businesses fall short: they provide a VPN, yet don’t enforce its use.
If you’re serious about security, VPN usage must be mandatory whenever employees work outside the office. Ideally, it should connect automatically on startup, removing the risk of human error.
With the right Managed IT or Managed Services partner, you can even implement controls that block access to company systems unless the VPN is active. That’s proactive protection — not reactive damage control.
The Risk of Visual Hacking
Not every threat involves complex software.
Sometimes it’s simply someone sitting at the next table.
Visual hacking — stealing information by looking at someone’s screen — is low-tech, but surprisingly effective. In crowded spaces, sensitive data such as client details, financial reports, or product designs can be visible to anyone passing by.
All it takes is one curious glance. Or one quick photo.
Privacy screens are a simple but powerful solution. These filters block side-angle viewing, ensuring only the person directly in front of the screen can see its contents. Some modern devices even include built-in hardware privacy features.
As part of a broader Managed IT strategy, these small physical safeguards can dramatically reduce risk.
Physical Security of Devices
Would you leave your laptop unattended in a busy café?
It sounds obvious, yet it happens every day.
In a secure office environment, stepping away from your desk feels harmless. In a public space, it can result in theft within seconds. Opportunistic thieves actively watch for distracted individuals.
Your remote work policy must clearly state:
- Laptops stay with the employee at all times
- Devices are never left unattended
- Strangers are never asked to “watch” equipment
Cable locks can add another layer of deterrence, particularly in coworking spaces. They’re not foolproof — but they make theft more difficult, and criminals prefer easy targets.
Awareness is one of the most effective security measures you can encourage.
Handling Phone Calls and Conversations
Public spaces aren’t as private as they feel.
Even in a noisy café, conversations carry. Discussing confidential information within earshot of strangers introduces unnecessary risk.
Competitors, disgruntled individuals, or simply curious listeners may overhear sensitive details.
Employees should avoid discussing confidential matters in public “third places.” If a call is unavoidable, they should move to a private area — outside, into a car, or another enclosed space.
Headphones prevent others from hearing the caller — but they don’t stop others from hearing your employee’s voice.
Security is behavioural as much as technical.
Creating a Clear Remote Work Policy
Your employees shouldn’t be guessing what’s acceptable.
A well-written remote work policy removes ambiguity. It outlines expectations, establishes standards, and supports enforcement.
Be sure to include:
- Guidelines for public Wi-Fi usage
- Mandatory VPN requirements
- Physical device security rules
- Best practices for handling conversations in public
Explain why these policies exist. When employees understand the reasoning, compliance improves significantly.
Review the policy annually. Threats evolve. Technology changes. Your policy should too.
Businesses using proactive IT Support or Managed Services benefit from structured policy reviews, ensuring security measures remain current and effective.
Empower Your Remote Teams
“Third place” work environments offer flexibility and boost morale. But flexibility without safeguards creates vulnerability.
The goal isn’t to eliminate remote work — it’s to secure it.
With the right tools, enforced VPN use, physical protections, and a clearly defined policy, you can confidently support remote teams without exposing your business to unnecessary risk.
Well-informed employees become your first line of defence.
Whether you operate in Brisbane, Mackay, or anywhere in between, professional Managed IT guidance ensures your remote workforce remains both productive and protected.
Is your team working remotely without a safety net?
We help businesses implement secure remote access solutions, enforce smart policies, and strengthen external network security — so your data stays protected, no matter where your team logs in.
Contact us today to fortify your remote workforce with reliable IT Support and proven Managed Services solutions.
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