Over the past few years, enterprises have become increasingly reliant upon digital tools to keep their business operations functional and efficient.
To better understand this trend and where it’s heading, network security company Perimeter 81 published a report that takes a deeper look into the effects of digital-based enterprise technology on workplace processes. Specifically, the company spoke with enterprise professionals to get a good idea of how, exactly, these tools influence operations and security.
Dawning of the remote work age
Let’s begin with remote work which is only possible thanks to companies embracing digital transformation and the tools they choose to utilize. According to the study, staff members are enjoying many positive effects from their company’s embracement of a remote or hybrid workforce structure: remote work structures offered benefits for both employers and employees, with increased work/life balance (68%), greater employee satisfaction (65%), and more productivity (59%).
In fact, the report suggests that 87% of companies plan to keep remote or hybrid work practices in 2022, while 71% of remote employees will work from home two or more days per work week.
Obviously, with all the advantages that remote work offers to enterprises, it makes sense that organizations would want to continue it and continue to incorporate the tools that make this structure possible. But as more enterprise operations are distributed among more tools, companies are finding themselves more vulnerable to security breaches.
More tools, more complexity
According to the Perimeter 81 report, some VPs and CIOs believe cyber tools can harm their enterprises’ cybersecurity. What’s more, this group believes that utilizing more tools may be less helpful in the long run. Approximately 29% of CIOs and VPs feel that cyber complexity from too many tools almost always occurs. Additionally, 67% of survey respondents feel that a distributed workforce makes cybersecurity more complex.
Indeed, more digital tools increases cyber complexity, which means there are even more potential threats to keep up with. Per the report, 58% of respondents indicated they felt they faced vulnerabilities or threats related to cloud misconfigurations.
Taking a bit of a deeper look, cyber complexity can also negatively impact a company’s ability to respond to cyber threats, let alone proactively defend against them. Of those surveyed, 71% felt the growing number of tools in use negatively impacted their ability to detect and prevent security threats. And the report reveals that these leaders have good reason to worry: Data shows that 66% of companies experienced a serious cybersecurity incident between 2020 and 2021.
Solution providers need to step up
Adoption of enterprise technology is clearly on an upward trend. Fortunately, this is where today’s solution providers can step in. You see, the resulting cyber complexity means a higher likelihood of security breaches if organizations aren’t prepared for attacks. Here, solution providers can step in to help enterprises effectively prepare with appropriate cybersecurity processes, specifically those focused on prevention, detection, and response across the entire corporate network.
And this isn’t something to begin preparing for – the opportunity for solution providers is right now. Many enterprises have already begun ramping up their security processes. Data from the Perimeter 81 report suggests that many companies are taking ransomware more seriously following large-scale attacks, with 51% prioritizing cybersecurity and 34% aiming to make cybersecurity a bigger part of their business plans.
Read the Perimeter 81 report in full to learn more: The Decentralized Workplace & The Cyber Complexity Trap
