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Hybrid Workplace
Cybersecurity

A hybrid work model mixes in-office and remote work. With this model, employees can enjoy the flexibility of working from both home and in the office.   

Because there is no one-size-fits-all work model for all organizations, a hybrid work model may include one of the following:

  1. Remote-First: This strategy means that employees primarily work from home, but the company will keep office space for those who may occasionally need it.
  2. Office-Occasional: The company will maintain an office and employees will be required to visit it regularly.
  3. Office-First, Remote Allowed: Another alternative is to keep both the office and remote work, but make the office your primary workspace. This scenario happens when offices go through remodeling, for example.

Security Challenges of Hybrid Work Model

  • Unsecured home networks. Networks with weak security can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
  • Stolen or lost work devices. Employees who choose to work from coffee shops, airports, or hotel rooms risk loss or theft of equipment. These locations are not as secure as the corporate office.
  • Targeted phishing attacks. These may occur because the remote employee cannot ask a coworker for a second opinion about a suspicious email.
  • Lackluster patching. Without on-site IT support, security patches may not be available or employees may fail to install them.
  • The proliferation of shadow IT. The hybrid work model presents the ideal breeding ground for shadow IT by allowing employees to tailor their home work environments by using information technology services, systems, software, devices, and applications without IT department authority.

Hybrid Working Risks

  • Establish and enforce a data security policy.
  • Equip employees with the right tools and technology.
  • Frequently update network security systems.
  • Make sure internet connections are secure.
  • Institute a “Zero Trust” approach.
  • Create a comprehensive hybrid work model toolkit that incorporates secure cloud storage solutions like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
  • Use collaboration applications such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Chanty, or Google Workspace.
  • Implement project management software such as Microsoft Project, Asana, or Basecamp.
  • Use video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype.
  • Use password managers such as Bitwarden, LastPass, and 1Passwords.
  • Implement multifactor authentication for log-ins.
  • Enable end-to-end data encryption for all sensitive information. 
  • Enable email filtering to proactively block malicious emails.
  • Continually educate employees to recognize and avoid security threats.

Wherever your workforce is, we can help you build strong cyberculture.

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