Ensure lone workers' safety

Most of the security risks involved in working away from the office occur in the home or in transit. Travelling by bus or train can pose risks. You should ensure that all of your workers are aware of these risks and avoid:

• leaving equipment unattended in a public place or in a car
• displaying confidential or sensitive information on a laptop screen in a public place
• using public access to the internet - eg public Wi-Fi networks - when working on sensitive information

Make sure your workers are aware of precautions they can take. For example, where relevant your workers should:

• use hotel safes, either in rooms or at reception, to store valuable equipment and information when not in use
• install up to date virus protection software on devices
• back up data regularly and keep these backups safe and secure
• use a shredder - ideally a 'cross shredder' - to destroy sensitive papers they no longer need
• destroy CDs containing sensitive information they no longer need
• store valuable or sensitive papers, discs and CDs in a fireproof safe
• ensure that valuable equipment is locked away if they are not using it
• have their home checked by the local Crime Prevention Officer, who can also advise on how they can protect their work information

Insurance

If you are running a business from home, you should cover any valuable equipment with an insurance policy. General household insurance is unlikely to cover expensive business equipment. You may also need employers' liability insurance. 

If your home is damaged and you are unable to work there for a period of time, it is unlikely that general household insurance will cover any loss of income. You should also be careful about taking office equipment such as laptops off site. Many policies will not be valid if equipment is damaged or lost outside of the insured premises.

Many insurance companies offer specific policies for home businesses at lower rates than standard business insurance.