The purpose of the “Digital Go-Bag” is to insure you have the items needed to Protect, Maintaining and Operate your digital devices during an emergency. But what about the devices themselves, are they protected? We live in a time where everything is digital: Contacts, Financial, Legal, Medical, Identification, Business, Personal…
– In 2025 people still put their passwords on a “Post-it Note” on their monitor.
– The average individual has multiple Accounts, User Ids and Passwords.
– In an emergency you could be using unsecure resources: Bluetooth, Cell Service, Wi-Fi, USB Ports…
– When “Cell Service” is down, a cell phone can be configured for “Wi-Fi Calling”.
Below is a checklist of items to consider protecting your devices in the digital world…
Password Management: How do you secure your Accounts, User Ids and Passwords?
– “Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)”: When logging in, an addition code is sent via Text or Email.
– “Password Types”: Using Phrases, Padding, Mnemonics, Themes. Not Birthdays, Pets /Maden Names…
– “Password Wallet /Manager /Vault”: Manages your passwords.
– “Encrypted File for User Ids /Passwords”: Example, a password protect spreadsheet
– “Encrypted USB Flash Drive”: Stores critical documents & possibly account information.
– “Browser Autofill”: Do you use for passwords. Convenient Yes but it can pose a security risk.
Devices: Do you use?
– “Virtual Private Network (VPN)”: A secure, encrypted connection over the internet.
– “Firewall”: A security barrier between internal systems and external networks.
– “Encryption”: Encrypt sensitive Files, Folders, or Drives.
Software: Is it up to date?
– “Operating System”, “Antivirus Software”, “Applications”, …
Maintenance Plan: Do you have one?
It is never simple… The “Digital Go-Bag” recommends an “Encrypted USB Flash Drive” for your critical documents but is only one piece of the puzzle.