During the pandemic, a new concept known as hybrid working was introduced in order to keep companies running. This concept of the hybrid workforce incorporates both work from home and office-based work. The change brought surprising yet positive results leading to enhanced performance and as a result, it quickly gained popularity among the companies and employees alike. However, with freedom comes responsibility and due to the hybrid situation, companies need to be much more vigilant regarding their security.
Broadening The Horizon
Before the hybrid working conditions, employees worked from the office which was well-equipped with security measures. But now that employees are working remotely, it’s difficult to stay on top of the security situation. Moreover, companies don’t know where the employees are working from – it could be a cafe or a friend’s house, or even subway stations. And unprotected devices and WiFi connections are invitations for hackers.
In order to avoid cyber threats, it’s advisable for companies to verify the devices and IP addresses that are used by the employees. Furthermore, the devices should be regularly updated and scanned for viruses.
Getting Employees Onboard
It’s important to make sure that employees understand the significance of security measures and the threats faced by the company. Otherwise, employees will be slow to follow instructions and understand the consequences. Sometimes, employees view security protocols as a hindrance to their work, leading to dissatisfaction with their work environment. In order to eradicate this issue, it is best to hold seminars and training sessions to spread awareness amongst employees.
Zero Trust
The zero-trust approach, which means “never trust, always verify”, was developed in order to fight cybercrime. As a result, no matter where the employees are working outside of the office, they are provided with limited access. This allows companies to let employees keep working while securing important data. Likewise, it enables thorough monitoring and real-time response that means suspicious activity can easily be isolated and swiftly dealt with.
Hybrid Security For a Hybrid Workforce
Initially, companies were at a loss over how to manage security when employees are scattered all over the city. But with time, protocols and measures were developed to bring a sense of uniformity and safety to the workplace.
Cyber threats and security risks are no joke and can’t be taken lightly. These issues require aggressive and proactive actions because once the damage is done, companies end up facing huge losses in terms of money and data recovery. Nonetheless, it’s not always hackers that are the weak link, sometimes it’s the ignorance of employees.
From clicking on a dangerous link and falling prey to an online scam to poor password management, there are a number of things that can go wrong. That’s why it is imperative to ensure awareness programs and informational sessions so that all weak links can be covered. This way, moving forward, companies and employees will be able to enjoy a minimum risk hybrid workforce.
