From Zoom to Doom
By VICKY BROWN
Remote work used to be a perk. Now, for many small businesses, it’s the standard. But while we’ve adjusted to Zoom meetings and Slack channels, most entrepreneurs haven’t fully addressed what remote work is really bringing into the business, beyond flexibility. The truth is, every home office is now an extension of your company. And that means every device, every app, every casual conversation at the kitchen table could be introducing new risk.
Let’s break it down.
Trade Secrets and Living Rooms Don’t Mix
When your employees are dialing in from their kitchen or a coffee shop, it’s easy to forget that sensitive business information is still in play. But every background conversation, every visible document, every screen shared without a double-check, these are all tiny opportunities for things to slip through the cracks.
The risk isn’t always a deliberate breach. It’s often accidental. A spouse hears a private conversation. A child plays on a work laptop. Alexa catches more than just your grocery list. These are modern problems that demand modern reminders, short, consistent, and direct.
If you’re not having regular conversations with your team about keeping client and company info private, it’s time to start. Not with a policy handbook, but with a quick check-in. Because once it’s second nature, it becomes part of your company culture.
Home WiFi: The Weakest Link
Here’s a hard truth: the average home setup isn’t built for business security. Weak passwords, outdated routers, shared devices, it’s a security gap waiting to be exploited. And no, you don’t need to become your team’s personal IT department. But you do need to set a few ground rules.
Encourage strong passwords, require multi-factor authentication, and make it crystal clear: public WiFi is not a safe place to send confidential information. The goal isn’t to scare people, it’s to simplify what they need to do, make it repeatable, and then follow up.
Watch Out for the “Free Tools” Trap
Remote teams love tools that boost productivity, and there are plenty out there. But many of those handy AI-powered apps? They store data. Sometimes indefinitely. And often outside the U.S.
That’s why you need to draw a clear line. Decide what tools are allowed, and which ones are off-limits. Train your team. Explain the “why.” Because without that clarity, you may discover that your confidential client pitch deck is now stored in a random AI’s memory bank overseas.
“… If sensitive documents are lying next to cereal boxes or if family members are in earshot of business calls, it’s a problem“
Blurring the Line Between Home and Work
Not everyone has a home office. Some employees are working from the dining table or a shared bedroom. But even a makeshift workspace needs boundaries. If sensitive documents are lying next to cereal boxes or if family members are in earshot of business calls, it’s a problem.
Encourage your team to create a designated space, even if it’s just a corner or a privacy screen. Normalize small habits like closing laptops when not in use or using headphones on calls. These micro-boundaries go a long way in keeping professional and personal life separate, and protected.
People Make Mistakes, Plan for It
Most security breaches in small businesses don’t come from hackers. They come from humans. Accidental email attachments. Unchecked screen shares. A child who hits “send” at the wrong moment.
But the solution isn’t tighter control, it’s better culture. Create space for questions, reward people for double-checking, and make bite-sized security tips part of your regular rhythm. When people feel safe to ask before they act, you reduce the risk of something slipping through the cracks.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur jumping into a leadership role, a seasoned business pro with new HR responsibilities, or just starting your HR career – we’ve got the right path to guide you through your HR hurdles.
Check out the Leaders Journey Experience. This online education platform holds the LJE Masterclass, HR SimpleStart Academy and HR FuturePro Academy.
Not sure where to start – take the quiz!
So, What Should You Do Next?
Don’t panic. You don’t need a tech degree to secure your remote team. Start with intention:
- Make data privacy part of your daily rhythm.
- Keep security steps simple and repeatable.
- Clarify which tools are approved (and which aren’t).
- Encourage designated workspaces, however modest.
- Lead with empathy, because mistakes will happen.
Remote work isn’t going away. And for small business owners, this is your chance to build a more thoughtful, secure, and empowered team. When you lead with clarity, your team will follow, and your business will be better protected because of it.