Remaining productive can be difficult when you’re outside of a traditional workspace. If you’re going to make the nomadic lifestyle work, or simply stretch your legs during a workday afternoon, then a cafe might make an excellent space in which to get some work done while enjoying a steady stream of caffeine.
But if you want to relocate your office to a cafe, or some other public space, there are a few risks that you’ll need to anticipate and deal with.
The Solo vs. Social Strategy
If you’re taking high-end equipment to a public space, you’ll need to prepare for the possibility that you’ll be targeted by thieves. This problem might be more pressing in some locations than others. As well as stealing the hardware itself, attackers might steal your data by simply peering over your shoulder and observing what you type. Some might even record you, secretly.
There are a number of precautions that might minimise the danger. To begin, you should work with your back to a wall. If you’re working with colleagues, allow them to watch your laptop whenever you visit the counter, or the toilet. Make sure that you lock your machine whenever you’re away from it, even if you’re just moving away for a few seconds.
Secure the “Digital Perimeter”
You can think of a public wifi network as a crowded room in which everyone is shouting. It’s often trivial for a hacker to pose as a router and intercept your data. Make sure that you are communicating through encrypted channels, and that the VPN extension on your browser is active. An extension is often preferable to a full-system application because it will allow you to be selective about what gets routed through the VPN and what doesn’t. You can keep the video content you’re downloading at maximum speed, while rerouting sensitive work-related emails.
Mind Your “Audio Footprint”
If you’re taking calls in a public space, then you need to prepare for the possibility that your voice will be recorded. Ask whether the information you’re communicating is worth a malicious actor going to the trouble of recording. Remember that microphones are very small nowadays, and that they can capture audio clearly across even a crowded cafe.
If you absolutely must make these kinds of calls, make sure that you have the right noise-cancelling headphones. Ideally, conduct the call in an enclosed pod.
Practice “Power Independence”
If you find that you’re constantly looking for a socket, then you might end up deprioritising many security concerns so that you can get a table that provides one. Make sure that your laptop is fully charged, and that you have a power bank to call upon if you really need it.
Follow the “Purchase Rhythm”
A cafe is not a dedicated workspace. You’ll want to offer the owner the same amount of value as any other customer. Don’t sit there working for hours on end, and don’t hog tables during busy spells. Ideally, it’s best to place several orders every hour or so.