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If you are unable to bring your work computer home with you, maintain the next most secure environment for sensitive UWSP data and your overall work by using a Remote Desktop connection from your personal computer to sign in to your UWSP computer.
Using your UWSP work computer when telecommuting provides the most secure environment when working with sensitive data.
Work From Home Security Procedures For Remote Desktop
When working from home through a Remote Desktop connection to your UWSP computer you must adhere to the following security procedures.
- The personal computer must have a supported operating system. A "supported" operating system means that it receives regular security patches and updates from the company (for example, Windows 10, 8, 7, or XP are no longer supported).
- Supported PC operating system: Windows 11.
- Supported Mac operating systems: UWSP Information Technology supports the three latest MacOS versions. See Apple Support's MacOS page.
- Up-to-date antivirus must be installed and enabled on all computers where you work.
- Use a Firewall: Ensure that your internet connection has a firewall or enable the firewall that comes with your computer. Your firewall should block all incoming connections by default.
- Lock your computer any time you step away.
- Keep your MFA devices (phone, fobs) easily accessible and Ignore/Decline MFA prompts that display for no reason. You should only accept MFA prompts that are expected, like when accessing university resources.
- Inform the IT Service Desk as soon as possible if MFA devices are lost/stolen, or if you have concerns about suspicious activity.
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Do not share the computer and DO NOT work under your computer's administrator account! UWSP information and data should not be made available or shared beyond what is needed to do your work for UWSP. Sharing a computer increases the likelihood of spyware and other malware installing from predatory websites, email attachments, or software downloads for games or other activities. An administrator account especially gives spyware the easiest access to install and capture sensitive data, or allow malware in general to compromise and even take control of your computer.
If you have no alternative to sharing the computer or workspace with others, you should protect and secure your work and UWSP data by creating separate local accounts for you and for anyone else using the computer.
Additional Home Security Procedures
When working from home, all UWSP employees and affiliates must additionally take the following security precautions.
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Keep all paperwork secure when not in use. A locked drawer is preferable. If that is not an option, keep paperwork in a file cabinet or box out of plain sight.
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Do not email files containing sensitive data as attachments. Attachments are easily forwarded with no tracking mechanism. Instead, when sharing files or collaborating on documents with co-workers, share links to your files.
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If you suspect an email did not come from the sender in the From line do not reply to the original email. Instead, open a new email and add the sender's email address from Outlook's address book or from your contacts. If you have questions about a sender's legitimacy, contact the IT Service Desk.
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Use UWSP's secure Cisco Secure Client VPN when traveling. Do not use public Wi-Fi without the protection of VPN. See ftc.gov's, "How to Safely Use Public Wi-Fi Networks".
Always keep your work and personal emails and files separate.
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Do not use your personal email to conduct business.
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Do not save university data to your personal device, computer, or flash drives.
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Do not save work files to third-party cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc)
Save all of your work files to your UWSP OneDrive. If working on your personal device, install the Microsoft Office 365 desktop apps and the OneDrive app for free.
See Wisconsin Public Records Law Wis. Stats. §19.31-19.39
Contact the IT Service Desk for additional help!