Intelligent CISO Issue 35 | Page 65

Responders flagged Wi-Fi networks ( 39 %), cloud storage ( 38 %), email ( 36 %), remote devices ( 32 %) and video conferencing solutions ( 31 %) as the biggest areas of concern .
BUSINESS SURVEILLANCE
As the lines blurred between the home and office , more than one in three remote workers started using their devices for both work and personal use ( 38 %). Over one-third are accessing the web and business applications via private Wi-Fi networks . And 35 % of users are accessing corporate networks from devices not managed by the company .
So , with similar results globally , what can businesses do to help provide that they are operating more safely and securely during COVID-19 – and beyond ?
Protecting the business for the future
To stay ahead of cybercriminals , companies need to take a unified approach that aligns their people , processes and technology . With the transition from offices to home and hybrid working , companies need to

Responders flagged Wi-Fi networks ( 39 %), cloud storage ( 38 %), email ( 36 %), remote devices ( 32 %) and video conferencing solutions ( 31 %) as the biggest areas of concern .

take the time to reinforce cybersecurity policies and best practices .
With that in mind , I asked AT & T ’ s CSO , Bill O ’ Hern , for his thoughts on what cybersecurity experts and company executives need to be considering in 2021 . Here are his four key takeaways :
• The attack surface has changed and it ’ s likely to stay changed . You ’ re familiar with the new basics , such as monitoring remote access and devices . You know that the action to watch is now at the VPN head-end , not in the local network . But are you budgeting properly for next year ? Provide that your security plans align with the back-to-work strategy of your business .
• Cloud is a key play for security and continuity . Its very nature helps keep your business locally and globally resilient against pandemics and other major events . The security needs are different – beyond guarding an enterprise perimeter . But the benefits can be worth it .
• Digital Transformation helps security , too . When you use good practices in your development cycle and when you deploy infrastructure as code , you get protections in place quicker . It ’ s a good way to help keep pace with attackers .
• 5G and Internet of Things ( IoT ) are real . LAN speed is old news . Your people and processes are remote – and 5G will help give them highly secure , high-speed and low-latency connections like they were on your campus . Are you looking at the infrastructure to take advantage ?
Organisations need to approach any business initiative with a cybersecurityfirst mindset , prioritising it as a key part of the culture .
As remote working means data continues to reside in multiple locations , in 2021 and beyond , cybersecurity practices will become a key differentiator for businesses . With an often-remote workforce , companies will be increasingly judged based on their preparedness , strategies and controls . Those that take the right steps to help protect their business and employees will reap the benefits , while excessively vulnerable businesses could face reputational and financial consequences .
COVID-19 has accelerated reliance on technology – it ’ s now depended on even for basic tasks , like speaking to a colleague . We ’ re all doing incredible things under difficult circumstances . However , our remote-working revolution means we all face a host of new and continued cyber-risks .
In 2021 , how businesses respond to these risks will set them apart . The ability to adapt quickly is critical to help stop a vulnerability from turning into a catastrophic breach . u www . intelligentciso . com
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