Re: Vaguely Security Related: Telecommuter Advice

[Robin Wood <robin () digininja org>]

On 9 March 2012 07:32, S. R. White <swprofile () yahoo com> wrote:
> Hi Adrian,
>
> I have two separate desks, one for personal, one for work only.  There is a
> strict separation where no work papers or other things are ever mixed with
> personal in the same space.  I have my desk in the same room unlike many
> folks, but have even taken the effort in the last year to move my work desk
> away from the window, so It now faces a blank wall.  I have two separate
> desk chairs.  I have meaningful work related items on the wall such as phone
> list, org chart, calendar, etc.  Getting up and fully dressed for the day
> with shoes on and everything helps me get focused.  If you wear sweat pants
> and a tshirt, it might be tempting to crash on the couch with your laptop.
> No TV in the office, video conference as much as possible.  Be sure to take
> a lunch break, as I find it easy to work right through lunch, especially if
> working on a pen test or something else "fun".  Segment work computers from
> home computers...My employer doesn't allow personal devices on the corporate
> network, so the same should hold true at home, so personal devices can't see
> your work devices that likely VPN in...I also keep separate filing cabinets
> like others have mentioned.  I also have my infosec books on a bookshelf
> near my work desk for reference, and all personal books in a different
> location.  Having bright lights also helps me, as a dimly lit work area
> sometimes makes me sleepy, or not be focused.  At the same time, I have a
> wooden chair from my kitchen table, and using it versus a padded desk chair
> now and then gives me a good upright posture while working, and seems to
> keep me better focused and on task.  It seems like lots of little things
> here and there, but lighting, chairs, and "separation of duties" has been
> what has worked for me.
>
> Scott
>
> ________________________________
> From: Adrian Crenshaw <irongeek () irongeek com>
> To: PaulDotCom Security Weekly Mailing List <pauldotcom () mail pauldotcom com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2012 6:14 PM
> Subject: [Pauldotcom] Vaguely Security Related: Telecommuter Advice
>
>
> Ok, this is so vaguely infosec related I almost hesitate to bring it up.
> Many pen-testers/security folks seem to work from home/telecommute, more so
> than any other field I personally know. I'd love to get folk's thoughts on
> how they carry on that lifestyle. A few breakout questions:
>
> 1. How do you stay productive enough so you are still of value to your
> employer?
> 2. Do you feel isolated at home, and what do you do for a social life?
> 3. Any tips on separation of home life and work life?
> 4. Anything else you think an infosec telecommuter should think about?
>
> How do thing work for you?
>
> Thanks,
> Adrian

I've been working from home for the last 6+ years, I have one desk
completely covered in stuff, I get distracted about once an hour
during the day to hold the baby while wife does something, I take
random amounts of time for lunch and take it at random times. Unless
I'm doing a test where I have specific times from a client I start
when I want, finish when I want and usually work a few hours at night.

It seems completely disorganized but works brilliantly for me. Guess
how you handle home working depends on your own personality, I know
some people who just can't do it, some who feel isolated, some who
can't motivate themselves, I've managed to avoid all of that.

Robin
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