Our desks are not a safe place to keep confidential documents out in the open.

In a busy workplace, you never know who might walk past your workstation.

Most people today have easy access to the digital cameras in their mobile phones, so it’s easier than ever to record something interesting or take a picture of files lying unattended.

Why not implement a clean desk policy in your company?

Here are some tips for doing just that:

Clear communication

Set out clear rules and write them down so every employee gets the hang of it. Add them to the company handbook to ensure that staff knows what is expected of them.

Tell them why

Employees are much more likely to buy into your clean desk policy if you explain to them exactly why it’s being implemented. Awehness has content exactly for this purpose.

Practice what you preach

Make sure that everyone follows the same rules, at every level of the organization from the top down.

Shred it

Implementing effective document shredding systems will help reduce paper usage.

Keep reminding them

It’s easy for standards to slip if you don’t keep on top of things. Cyber Awehness training does this

Enforce the rules

Appointing an office supervisor or monitor to enforce the rules will help ensure the policy is followed correctly.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, as the old phrase goes!

While there are arguments both for and against the clean desk policy, it’s becoming more and more popular. Hot-desking, flexible working, maintaining company image, and protecting data security have all made clean desks a priority for many businesses.

Key takeaways:

•          Do not store confidential materials where they can be stolen.

•          Make sure that unauthorized persons can’t read confidential information on your desk.

•          Store your confidential documents in a safe location at the end of the day and whenever they are not needed.

Visit our awareness page at www.cyberaweh.co.za for some insightful cyber security tips.