Our work landscape changed dramatically during covid. No longer was working from the office welcome or safe. Organizations had to scramble to create safe home/work environments. Three years later, many organizations continue to allow remote work as others invite their workforce back into the office. Many workers do not want to return to the office environment and there is evidence to support both factions for productivity.
As businesses decipher the statistics and information about this dilemma, they also must ponder the prospect of data security and safety. Is your workforce safe?
According to the website https://www.techtarget.com, all businesses ought to adhere to some form of Best Practices to ensure that they are properly securing their remote work environments. They offer five potential paths forward. They are as follows: leveraging the cloud, using a zero-trust architecture sooner rather than later, modernizing your security op centers with intelligence and automation, looking for end-to-end platforms that are also integrated, and creating mandatory and ongoing cybersecurity awareness and training.
If your organization is still using multiple platforms to manage its network security you ought to rethink things. The cloud is far more efficient than on-premise network infrastructure with the delivery of security solutions. An end-to-end cloud-based platform can curtail the time required to process alerts, update any protections, identify potential threats, ensure secure remote access, and manage policies.
What zero-trust means is that the network never trusts and always verifies the identity of the user. Access is not granted carte blanche. All network access is encrypted and authorized. The value to the organization is inherent. However, some will still question the cost-effectiveness and implementation process. Obviously making the move sooner gives you more time to recoup your investment. And is there ever a substitute for your network safety?
Machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), shared-threat intelligence, and automation are innovating the world of security ops centers (SOCs). Cloud-based SOCs are erected on automating information security through ML/AI and event management. Going this route can save time with regard to responses to threats real and potential, provide a seamless user experience, and as such cost you less. Can your organization afford to not partake?
Platforms can be point-to-point or end-to-end. Point-to-point was quite popular but not always easy to adapt to changes. An integrated end-to-end offers the best of all worlds by supporting remote workforces effectively and easily and making all solutions work better together. Cost savings in this regard can be substantial for your organization.
Nearly all organizations offer or should offer, cybersecurity training and awareness courses to their employees, especially those working remotely. This is best done on an ongoing basis to ensure all are adhering to the best possible security practices offered by your organization. Part of this training should speak about selecting strong passwords and not using the same devices for work and business. Ideally, this training can and should be conducted without disruption to productivity and workflows. Has your organization created such training?
Securing your data in a remote or office environment should be a top priority. New challenges come about nearly daily. Having an automated, intelligent, cloud-based, integrated, end-to-end, centrally managed security model is the only way to go.