Due to the increase in cyber threats and the need for business continuity, large organizations are adopting hybrid work models where employees have the flexibility to work from different locations. However, this shift poses challenges for ensuring security and resilience.
According to Chris Kruger, the Managing Director at Nashua Kopano, a workplace solutions provider, organizations are struggling to address the complexity of maintaining security and continuity when work is conducted outside the traditional office environment. IT departments, which are often constrained by limited time and budget, need to adapt to this new era of “anywhere operations.”
One of the main concerns is cybersecurity. With employees working remotely on unsecured home and public networks, companies have less control over network security. Additionally, the use of personal devices in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model introduces further risks compared to company-issued devices. Home-based employees are also more vulnerable to social engineering scams.
As a result, companies face an expanded and ever-evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals continuously develop new methods such as zero-day ransomware and social phishing attacks to exploit vulnerabilities.
In summary, the growing trend of hybrid work necessitates a comprehensive approach to address security and resilience challenges. Cybersecurity is a key concern due to the increased use of unsecured networks and personal devices. Organizations must adapt their IT functions to effectively mitigate risks and protect sensitive information in this evolving landscape.
The 2023 WFA Global study found that two-thirds of companies in South Africa have reported data breaches due to work-from-anywhere vulnerabilities.
“This highlights the importance of embracing an augmented defence and a unified management approach for endpoint security,’’ says Kruger.
