The Covid-19 pandemic shifted the paradigm for traditional systems and environments that were not designed for remote setups. For multiple organisations and sectors, it was the first time that a remote setup had to be created and implemented in no time
This was also the first time where many organisations had to create and introduce work-from-home policies. This panic brought a change in criminal activities, too. Cyber threats moved to remote networks and employees working from home became the new weak links. Fast forward to today, we are still amid a pandemic and organisations are exploring hybrid work structures for 2021-22.
Let’s unpack the cybersecurity gaps and threats that could be coming our way.
Security Shift in Work-From-Home Era
The panic amongst enterprises served as an opportunity for hackers to switch tactics and exploit COVID-19-related fears. The hastily built technological infrastructure for remote working had inadequate cyber and data security and easily became a gateway to new forms of data theft.
Since the solutions were rolled out under time pressure the effectiveness against cyber threats was not in place. With time, the remote networks were updated but they are still not 100% safe and secure. Employees rely on home networks that are connected to unmanaged routers, home automation systems, and personal devices. These can be infected with malware or compromised hardware without knowledge and can be exploited for staging malicious attacks.
According to the National Cyber Security Centre, some of the leading threats include cyber scams via remote desktop attacks and fraudulent wire transfers, infiltrating videoconferencing apps, cybercriminals posing as health officials to obtain personal information, and malware campaigns using COVID-19 themes. While moving to the next stage of organisational shift, both employees and their leaders need to work towards security commitments.
How to Prepare for a Hybrid workforce?
For better or worse, remote working and its evolving forms are here to stay. A Gartner survey revealed that 47% of organisations will give employees the choice of working remotely full-time once the pandemic is over, and 82% said employees can work from home at least one day a week.
Start with preparing for a bold shift in the ways we think about threat defence. A solution that can manage to secure the full ecosystems of endpoints and enable the teams to monitor and operate with a wider aperture of information. While many are still considering the hybrid workforce, here’s how you can take care of key concerns:
- Train the team in managing sensitive data and the importance of the company’s code of conduct.
- Maintain routine checks and update the security measures regularly for effective management of critical assets.
- Analyse your exposure to third-party suppliers having access to your business and network operations. Conduct a supplier risk assessment and access the critical information and controls shared with them.
- Implement a tight protocol like using specific tools to mitigate the risk of employees falling victim to phishing emails and threats.
There will be no one-size-fits-all approach to a hybrid workforce. Leaders will have to rethink how to manage the infrastructure and provide an effective tool kit to keep employees and company data secure. A few tools that can help build a secure work environment are:
A company VPN – VPNs can secure communication channels and encrypt the user’s connection data for employees using remote networks.
Firewall – To monitor network traffic, a firewall can further prevent unauthorised access and strengthen the security of devices used by employees. They can block unwanted traffic and protect remote endpoints against threats.
ID management strategies – Full-access and identity-management strategies for team members can further ensure tighter security.
A hybrid workforce would mean more autonomy, flexibility, and a collaborative work style. To keep up with the changing cultural and organisational structures, enterprises must reassess cybersecurity resilience and safeguard themselves from becoming soft targets of future attacks.
According to a Deloitte report, the ‘four key elements that organisations should focus on to cultivate a cyber risk-aware culture are leadership, learning, communications, and the talent lifecycle.’ Change in culture might be a daunting task, but slowly instilling the practices, continuous training, and upgrading skills can build a strong framework.
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