Cisco has labeled this period as the hybrid work era because the ongoing pandemic has led companies to create flexible workplaces that combine in-office work with remote work and working on the go.
While hybrid work can boost employee productivity and satisfaction, it can also create risk on the network. Cisco reported that during the pandemic, cyberattacks have increased a shocking 600% since employees have been working from home.
Just as people must build up immunity to COVID by getting their vaccinations and booster shots, companies with hybrid work environments must build up digital immunity by protecting themselves from cyberattacks. Digital immunity for hybrid work can be achieved using the right security tools and strategies.
Here’s an overview of 3 ways you can increase your hybrid work digital immunity:
Take a Zero Trust Approach to Security
The Zero Trust approach to security follows the principles of never trust; always verify. Zero Trust uses identity authentication and access controls to protect employees, data, and infrastructure. This approach is effective in a hybrid work environment because it checks the authenticity of every access attempt on the network, whether it comes from inside or outside your business.
Tools, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), use identity-based methods to strengthen security to protect against internal and external threats. Security information and event management (SIEM) is also useful for taking a Zero Trust approach to security because it logs and analyzes access attempts across a distributed infrastructure, alerting your company to any suspicious activity.
Monitor Your Digital Assets
Just as the pandemic makes contact tracing and maintaining physical distance essential, hybrid work makes tracking all your digital assets crucial. Tracking digital assets can be challenging when some are being used on-premises and others are being used on the go or in a home office.
When remote employees use their own devices and applications, they create a shadow IT that is difficult to monitor for risk. Using a wireless infrastructure, your company can keep track of users and connected devices in your office, as well as endpoints at the edge of your network.
Secure In-Office and Remote Workspaces
Whether employees are working from home or in-office, they deserve to have a productive, satisfying, and safe experience. Employees that work from home want to have the same experience as in-office workers by conversing, meeting face-to-face, and collaborating on projects.
Companies that have hybrid environments face challenges in giving everyone the same work experience. Your network must deliver the same secure, reliable connections for people working from meeting rooms, home offices, and coffee shops. Wired and wireless networks can make it easier for employees to connect securely and stay productive no matter where they’re working.
Keeping Your Hybrid Work Environment Healthy
There’s no telling how long organizations like yours will be using hybrid work environments. For long-term success, you must find ways to protect your workers as they move between in-office and remote workplaces. Partnering with the right technology provider will help you develop a security strategy for hybrid work that keeps your environment and your employees healthy.
iConvergence is an ideal partner because we are a Cisco Advanced Security Partner, offering leading network security solutions. We can help you identify and eliminate security risks in your hybrid workplace. Our team can provide you with all the tools you need to protect your employees in the office and wherever else they work, including Cisco Umbrella, Cisco Firewall, Cisco MFA, and Cisco Secure Endpoint.
Learn what iConvergence can do to boost the digital immunity of your hybrid workspace. Talk to one of our Cisco experts.