Ever since the Covid 19 pandemic hit the world back in mid-2019, businesses all around the world have been reevaluating and reinventing aspects of their safety protocol, searching for new ways to protect their staff.
One significant change that many organizations are implementing is the use of a hybrid workforce. This workplace model isn’t exactly new. For years, corporations have been using remote offices and “at-home workers” to boost productivity. However, never before have hybrid workforces been utilized on such a large scale.
Gartner Inc. recently surveyed 127 corporations which showed that 82% of employers intend to continue embracing a remote or hybrid workforce, even as the world’s phases out of the pandemic and it is safe for workers to return to the office.
There is no doubt that the hybrid workforce model is practical and will be around far into the future. However, while the positives seem to outweigh the negatives greatly, this business method is unexplored territory for many companies, opening the door to dangers in terms of safety and security.
Fortunately, tech companies have focused their efforts on addressing these security challenges and have created some revolutionary solutions to tackle them. Here we will discuss two of these novel tech products, as well as two suggestions you can apply to your staff policies to help instill a better sense of security awareness.
Tech to Protect Your Hybrid Workforce
Upgrade Your Company’s Network Security Framework
Since hybrid workforce companies operate from dozens, if not hundreds of different locations, providing reliable network security can become challenging, to say the least. However, thanks to modern security frameworks like SASE, the process doesn’t have to be so complicated.
Secure access service edge (SASE) is a cloud-based security framework model developed by Gartner Inc. that bundles various security and network technologies into a single system. Corporations that have adopted this security framework have experienced significant decreases in security breaches and overall operating costs. As a result, some experts expect it to become an industry-standard in the next few years.
The principal objective of SASE is to provide safe and secure network services from anywhere a staff member is working. By combining a software-defined wide-area network with other safety applications like a zero-trust network and a secure web gateway, companies can enjoy enhanced security that isn’t limited by the number of offices, employees, or utilized cloud services.
Web-Based Visitor Management Systems
Upgrading to a web-based visitor management system is another excellent way to protect your business and your employees in various ways. Not only do modern systems allow you to control who enters and leaves your building, but they also incorporate revolutionary surveillance technology, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where a guest is on your campus, and monitor their actions.
When it comes to protecting the physical health of your workforce, a web-based visitor management gives you the ability to pre-screen your visitors and staff for illnesses (such as covid-19) and deny them access if they fail the screening questionnaire. Most modern systems allow visitors to complete this process on their phones, meaning they have less contact with physical surfaces, preventing the spread of germs. If someone in your building (either a staff member or visitor) does contract an infectious illness, a web-based user management system will notify anyone who was potentially exposed.
Web-based safety features are not just limited to a building, though. The staff connectivity aspect of modern visitor management systems is another way to protect your hybrid workforce. Since web-based systems allow you to send memos and messages to your entire staff, you can quickly alert them about any potential cyber security threats, whether they are working at home or in the office.
Other Ways to Protect your Hybrid Workforce
While technology takes a lot of the brainwork out of securing your hybrid workforce, ultimately, safety is the responsibility of the people behind the screens. So here are a few cyber-security tips you may consider implementing into your company policies.
Don’t give Your Employees More Privileges Than they Need
With staff members working from home, resolving something as simple as a minor IT issue can present a considerable security threat. When technical problems arise, it may seem logical to grant your staff members elevated privileges so they can resolve the issue from home, saving time and money. However, it is best to avoid giving an employee permission to access data that doesn’t pertain to their direct line of work in most cases.
First off, when inexperienced individuals have access to sensitive information and system features that they aren’t used to, the likelihood of leaking data or accidentally corrupting company files skyrockets. Secondly, putting this much power into the wrong hands can be an absolute disaster for an organization. A disgruntled employee with high-level access to company systems can effortlessly make changes to the digital ecosystem, steal sensitive data, or even sabotage company security, putting your entire business in jeopardy.
Instead of taking the unnecessary risk of granting elevated permissions to hybrid workers, business owners should utilize a remote desktop service if possible. These programs allow your IT team to access and control an employee’s computer without literally being in front of it, making resolving technical issues far safer. The added step may cause slight delays in productivity, but the wait is well worth it if it means avoiding a breach in company security.
Maintain Good Communication with Your Workforce
The importance of good communication can not be understated in a hybrid workforce. All of your employees must be on the same page, especially regarding their cyber security.
Good communication goes both ways. Employers need to be sure that they accurately communicate security policies and expectations and provide warnings about any potential threats to their staff. Additionally, each staff member also plays a big part in keeping the workforce safe. Since an employee may be the first one to come in contact with a cyber security threat, they should be encouraged to report any suspicious emails, messages, or notifications. Many organizations have implemented an “if you see something, say something policy), helping to alert the whole team of potential dangers.
Protect Your Hybrid Workforce with EASEVisitor
If you’re looking to protect your hybrid workforce, upgrading to an EASEVisitor guest management system is the perfect place to start. EASEVisitor uses cutting-edge technology to help you take control of every aspect of your business. Try EASEVisitor for free and see the benefits that it can bring to your organization.
