Remote Working Is The New Normal

The concept of  remote worker working on the go from multiple locations has become more prevalent, as consumer Wi-Fi becomes faster, more users carry corporate laptops or BYOD-permitted smartphones and since  many workers no longer need a need access to a printer and the fax machine has disappeered from most workplaces.. 

Which has proved a  good preparation for the current COVID-19 lockdown, where remote working has moved from being something that you may do one day a week to something that is the new normal for many people. 

Remote working (RW) may be a novelty for some, but this type of flexible working arrangement is increasingly popular. It can provide a better work/life balance by allowing people to live further from their workplaces and it can be very useful during periods of extreme weather when it is unsafe to travel. 

While many companies have adopted off-site work for a small fraction of their employees and functions, transitioning to large scale remote work is very challenging not only from a process perspective but also culturally. Some employees will always need to have access to systems that only exist on premises, while others gain valuable satisfaction and fulfillment from face-to-face communications with peers, partners and of course customers. 

Companies that have adopted the cloud early will discover that a large majority of their systems are no longer bound to their physical office, while others, especially more established firms, are likely to rely substantially on tools deployed on premises or in their own data center. 

Similarly, companies that have allowed some level of remote work will find their employees more experienced and quicker to transition to a 100% remote atmosphere.  Employees who are used to working from home once a week will most likely have a better at-home work setup and understand the pitfalls of remote work already, which makes the transition easier than for those with no experience. 

The almost global move to home working for many organisations has direct implications on security. In particular, and in addition to the multitude of new phishing attacks and many experts no longer think  that remote work and the cyber security risks associated with this new workforce will come to an end when the coronavirus pandemic is over. 

From a technology perspective, there are unique challenges when it comes to the use of Software as a Service (SaaS) and Cloud Services, particularly when teams can no longer work in a physical location together

Each of these applications may have its own point of access, and when users reach them directly from their home networks, enterprise visibility and policy-based control for each of these connections may be lost and difficult to regain. The remote working factor has hit companies with an unexpected blow, and many were unlikely to be so prepared for this to happen. Now we have to consider that this situation will remain for some time, and the onus is on businesses to ensure that the technical and communication channels remain enabled.

Digital technology may free people to work remotely in the first place, but it also causes unforeseen problems and 24/7 work culture didn’t happen overnight, or because of coercive managers. Instead, the perceived division between work and non-work has steadily disappeared over time, while few of us were paying attention.

Remote working could well become permanent for many people. Many companies were encouraging staff to work elsewhere to reduce office costs before the outbreak, and this will probably be all the more attractive to the businesses that survive this crisis.  In ten years we may look back from our remote workstations and remember 2020 as the year we last went into the office. 

The Conversation:         BBC:        Infosecurity Magazine:     Cybereason

You Might Also Read: 

The Risks Of Remote Working:

Security Advice For Using Video Conference Tools:

For more information, please contact Cyber Security Intelligence for advice  and recommendations on training for employees.

 

 

 

« Coronavirus Is Good For Online Business
Millions of Facebook Profiles For Sale »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

AusCERT

AusCERT

AusCERT is the premier Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Australia and a leading CERT in the Asia/Pacific region

Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS)

Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS)

CEPIS is the representative body of national informatics associations throughout Europe and represent over 450,000 ICT and informatics professionals in 32 countries.

Bloombase

Bloombase

Bloombase is the leading innovator in Next-Generation Data Security solutions for Global 2000-scale organizations

Kenna Security

Kenna Security

Kenna Security is a risk intelligence & vulnerability management platform that helps prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities.

TeleTrusT

TeleTrusT

TeleTrust is an IT Security association and network for IT security comprising members from industry, administration, consultancy and research.

Alan Boswell Group

Alan Boswell Group

We are a Group of Companies providing specialist Insurance Broking and Risk Management advice and services including Cyber Risk cover.

Cybertekpro

Cybertekpro

Cybertekpro is a specialist insurance broker providing Cyber Liability insurance and cyber risk assessment services.

Belden

Belden

Belden is a global leader in signal transmission and security solutions for mission-critical applications in enterprise and industrial markets. Belden brands include Hirschmann and Tofino Security.

Data Destruction London

Data Destruction London

Data Destruction London offers fast, confidential and compliant expert data destruction services to businesses and organisations in London.

Dutch Innovation Park

Dutch Innovation Park

Dutch Innovation Park in Zoetermeer is a breeding ground for applied IT solutions in the field of cyber security, e-health, smart mobility and big data.

OSIbeyond

OSIbeyond

OSIbeyond provides comprehensive Managed IT Services to organizations in the Washington D.C., MD, and VA area including IT Help Desk Support, Cloud Solutions, Cybersecurity, and Technology Strategy.

FPT Software

FPT Software

As a leading technology service provider, FPT assists customers of all sizes and from any industries in implementing and adapting digital technologies including cybersecurity.

Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC)

Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC)

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center is the only global cyber intelligence sharing community solely focused on financial services.

LogicGate

LogicGate

The LogicGate Risk Cloud™ is an agile GRC cloud solution that combines powerful functionality with intuitive design to enhance enterprise GRC programs.

MedSec

MedSec

MedSec is the only company of its type focused solely on cybersecurity for hospitals and medical device manufacturers, offering both a cybersecurity software solution and consulting services.

Centroid

Centroid

Centroid is a cloud services and technology company that provides Oracle enterprise workload consulting and managed services across Oracle, Azure, Amazon, Google, and private cloud.