Being out of the office doesn’t mean being out of responsibility. Whether you’re on vacation, at a tournament, or working from home, you’re still part of the team. And that means staying secure. Here’s how we do that—without overcomplicating it.

Lock Your Devices

If you walk away from your laptop, lock it. If you put your phone down, lock it. It’s a habit worth building. I’ve seen people lose access to client data because they left a device open in a public place. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your own office or a hotel lobby. If you’re not using it, lock it. This is the easiest way to stop someone from snooping or worse—stealing data.

Use a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your connection. It encrypts your data and hides your location. That matters when you’re using public Wi-Fi—like at an airport or coffee shop. I’ve worked from a lot of places over the years. Some of them were secure. Most weren’t. A VPN makes sure your connection is. If you’re not sure how to use it, ask. It’s worth the five-minute setup.

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is simple. You log in with your password, then confirm it’s really you—usually with a code on your phone. It’s one of the best ways to stop someone from breaking into your account. Even if they have your password, they can’t get in without that second step. We use it across the board. If you haven’t set it up yet, now’s the time.

Keep Software Updated

Before you head out, update your devices. Updates fix security holes. If you skip them, you’re leaving the door open. I’ve seen people delay updates because they’re in a rush. Then they get hit with a problem that the update would’ve prevented. Don’t wait. Run the update. It’s a small step that protects everything else.

Be Smart About Your Out-of-Office Message

Your auto-reply doesn’t need to say where you are or how long you’ll be gone. That’s not helpful—and it’s not safe. Keep it short. Say you’re unavailable. Offer a backup contact. That’s it. Here’s a good example: “Thanks for your message. I’m currently unavailable but will respond as soon as I can. For urgent matters, please contact [backup contact].” That keeps things professional—and secure.

Don’t Leave Devices Behind

If it’s not with you, it’s not safe. Don’t leave your laptop in the car. Don’t leave your phone on the table. If you lose a device, report it right away. Make sure remote wipe is enabled. That way, if something goes missing, we can protect the data.

Watch for Phishing

When you’re out of the office, you’re more relaxed. That’s when phishing emails slip through. They look real. They sound urgent. They ask you to click a link or enter your password. If something feels off, don’t click. Ask. It’s better to double-check than to deal with a breach.