Customer Scenario: Hybrid Workers
When the pandemic first hit, one Boston-based company immediately sent its 1,000 employees’ home to work remotely. Over the next 18 months, the advantages were hard to ignore. Productivity remained high, worker morale was up, and the company still achieved strong business results. Today, that company has decided to adopt a hybrid work environment, but the prospect of a permanent hybrid model prompts new concerns about data security and cybersecurity attacks—as well as questions about how to optimize traditional office space and network infrastructure.
Can you relate to these concerns?
As many businesses transition to a mix of remote and on-premises work, many are gearing up for the realities of a hybrid workforce. If not fully prepared, they could be at risk for human-related vulnerabilities, data security issues and cybersecurity attacks. Not to mention wasted money in unused on-site infrastructure.
The Challenges
One of the biggest challenges of a hybrid work model is data security. Businesses everywhere are seeing a rising number of cyberattacks, especially on remote workers. Why? Remote workers often use their own hardware and software, which is often not hardened and unpatched with the latest security updates. Furthermore, when working from home, these workers rely on their own internet service and are no longer protected by the secure firewall they had at the office.
The Risks
Without the assurance of timely security updates and strict firewall protection, your company’s sensitive business data could be exposed. And we all know the dangers of that. Whether you’re a small startup or a large company, a data breach can be a legal and financial nightmare. Read about six companies that paid dearly for recent data breaches, including $575 million in fines and settlements for Equifax.
Aside from the data security risks, businesses with a large portion of remote workers may be paying for costly office space and network resources they no longer need. And that impacts company profitability and the bottom line.
Are you willing to accept these risks?
Hybrid Workers: The Solution
To avoid potential data breaches caused by remote or hybrid workers, take the time to have a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment. A careful audit by a qualified security engineer can help you establish the proper security framework, identify needed security policies and technology across your hybrid work environment and take steps to eliminate security vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, a cyber assessment can help your company determine the network capacity you need to support your new hybrid workforce. Based on the findings, you can make smart decisions on infrastructure, refresh your contracts, and right-size your network expenses in light of your new work model.
