Ertug Ayik, Managing Director HP Middle East and Africa, pens an exclusive opinion piece for Tahawultech.com, on balancing flexible/hybrid work with a robust cybersecurity framework.
Dubai was recently deemed one of the best cities to work in while on vacation, according to WorkMotion, and this comes as new research from the Society for Human Resource Management found that 98% of UAE companies are currently exploring hybrid working methods. The consensus is clear – Dubai has become the model destination for the post-pandemic way of working.
As we now enter the peak season for those hoping to catch some winter sun while keeping on top of emails, there is an ever-growing concern for companies looking to balance flexible ways of working with robust cybersecurity standards. In fact, our recent research with Forrester Consulting found that 75% of companies are struggling with IT operational challenges in the new Hybrid World, with work locations spread between the office, home and everything in between.
The study underscores that the challenges IT face lie mainly in manage asset management, user experience assurance, and risk management effectively. Data security, software updates on remote devices, and accuracy of asset databases are among the top challenges for companies managing remote endpoints.
With employees working from various locations, the traditional corporate network perimeter is extended, making it harder for IT professionals to monitor and control all endpoints. This distributed nature increases the complexity of managing security measures across a wide range of devices and locations. Ensuring secure and continuous communication with remote endpoints is a major concern for two-thirds (67%) of the respondents.
In addressing these challenges, it is crucial for companies to recognize that the flexibility of a global workforce comes with the responsibility to evolve security measures. Hybrid work, a blended model of work between the office, home and everything in between, is a fact of life for businesses today, and maintaining security is an ever-evolving process. With remote work, the boundaries between personal and work equipment are now porous.
Therefore, companies should be focusing on more efficient endpoint software tracking and management, including device backup and restore capabilities, automation of device recovery processes, BIOS update deployment, and device location tracking. For example, to enhance remote endpoint security and management, companies should invest in solutions that offer geo-location, lock, and erase capabilities remotely. HP’s Wolf Protect and Trace Service is an example of technology that allows IT to quickly locate missing devices, send a Lock command to remove access, and erase all confidential information seamlessly. Continuous endpoint monitoring and real-time device management will help companies protect sensitive data on the move and lower IT costs by reducing PC remediation or replacements.
In July, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced Dubai’s Digital Strategy aiming to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai and establish a reliable and robust digital system that enhances the digital economy. As we move into this digitalised era, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. It is a foundational element for protecting individuals, businesses, and nations, ensuring the secure and resilient functioning of digital systems. With HP’s focus on security infrastructure and seamless remote working innovations, we remain committed to providing solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses in this dynamic landscape.
