How to Stay Comfortable and Secure When Working From Home

Hybrid working has become a common trend, with 28% of us splitting time between home and the office. You might want to stay home more often as the cold, dark days of autumn and winter set in. But is your home office setup as optimal as it could be?

We can learn a lot from the Danish concept of ‘hygge,’ which promotes well-being through cosy environments and activities. And there are plenty of ways to make your home office more hygge – from design to working patterns and technology. 

Feeling safe also plays a big part in today’s world, especially when working remotely. In the year ending April 2023, 32% of businesses reported facing cyberattacks. But you and your employer can take reassurance knowing you’re following advice to manage the risks of remote working.   

What Are the Risks of Remote Working?

For all its benefits, remote working poses a range of threats to businesses and employees. For example, you may lack ergonomic office furniture and lighting, impacting your health in the long term. You may also struggle to work as efficiently or create bonds with your colleagues.

Then, there are the challenges it poses to data security. Employee devices, home Wi-Fi networks, and poor practices can cause headaches for business IT teams. So, how can you enjoy your home comforts without risking your well-being and valuable business information?      

How to Combine Comfort and Security as a Home Worker

Now’s the time to give your home office a little love if you haven’t already. Here are five practical tips for introducing hygge and boosting your productivity:

1. Set up a dedicated space away from your living areas and other distractions.

2. Maximise natural light where possible and use soft artificial lighting in dark mornings and evenings. 

3. Add houseplants to connect with nature and improve air quality.

4. Place personal trinkets such as photos and souvenirs to help you feel at home. 

5. Invest in warm throws and cosy slippers to keep you toasty on chilly days. 

Balance these improvements with your digital well-being for a harmonious working environment:  

• Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and activity. Choose a VPN with a dedicated IP feature to access business servers securely. 

• Set strong and unique passwords on all your accounts and use two-factor authentication for extra protection. 

• Update your devices and software regularly to guard against new threats. 

• Stay savvy to phishing attacks by completing regular training and reporting any incidents right away. 

• Install antivirus software to block and remove malware from your devices. 

Balancing Your Personal and Digital Well-Being

Unfortunately, working well from home isn’t as simple as rolling out of bed and logging on to your computer. But you can be productive with greater peace of mind by following these tips to combine comfort and security.