Comcast Business has unveiled compelling new research highlighting the evolving cybersecurity strategies amidst the expanding remote workforce. Conducted in collaboration with IDG, a survey of IT decision-makers reveals a shift in organizational investments prompted by the significant growth in remote workers. The findings underscore that most companies are redirecting resources towards enhancing remote IT operations to support this burgeoning workforce effectively. Moreover, there’s a substantial increase in cybersecurity investments aimed at combating the challenges posed by an expanding threat landscape.
The drastic expansion of the remote workforce, a trend catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been remarkable, with nearly a one-third surge in employees working from home in 2020. Consequently, organizations are reassessing their cybersecurity policies and practices. More than half of the respondents indicate a proactive approach, expediting the deployment of new security technologies and embracing innovative approaches such as the adoption of “zero trust” policies to fortify their cyber defense mechanisms. This shift underscores the industry’s concerted efforts to adapt and fortify security measures in response to the evolving remote work landscape.
As the remote work environment – and threat landscape – evolves, Comcast Business is proud to serve as a partner to help IT professionals ensure their businesses remain connected, secure and agile. – SHENA SENECA THARNISH Vice President of Cybersecurity Products, Comcast Business
Sneha added, After more than six months in the pandemic, the boundaries between work and home have become less defined due to remote work. However, the importance of a robust security plan has become increasingly evident. As the landscape of remote work and associated risks continues to change, Comcast Business stands ready to support IT experts in maintaining connectivity, security, and adaptability for their businesses.
The study highlights significant challenges faced by organizations in adapting to the evolving cybersecurity concerns:
- Cloud Security Concerns: Over 98% of respondents find securing cloud-based applications, data, and infrastructure either “very” or “somewhat” challenging. Key concerns include data theft (36%), a shortage of skilled staff for cloud security management (36%), and the fear of advanced threats targeting cloud application providers (35%). This underscores the necessity for robust security policies governing remote access to sensitive business applications and the importance of flexible network traffic routing over virtual private lines.
- Connectivity Challenges: Companies transitioning a significant portion of their workforce to remote settings face hurdles in providing adequate network speed (75%) and data access (69%). Addressing VPN or cloud access is crucial, particularly considering the bandwidth limitations faced by some employees, especially those sharing residential networks with families during the pandemic. A solution lies in offering dedicated, enterprise-grade connectivity separate from residential networks.
- Demand for Managed Security Services: Nearly all surveyed companies (99%) foresee a heightened need for managed cybersecurity services. These services provide a security overlay to extend data protection, with disaster recovery and business continuity being the top-rated services (43%). Guidance from experts (40%) and managed detection and response (36%) are also high on the priority list as organizations seek comprehensive security solutions in their expanded remote work capacity.
FAQs
1. What role does Comcast Business play in supporting remote work cybersecurity?
Comcast Business aims to assist IT professionals in ensuring connectivity, security, and adaptability for their businesses amid the evolving remote work landscape. It serves as a partner in providing connectivity solutions and cybersecurity products to address the challenges faced by organizations.
2. What are the primary challenges highlighted in the research?
The study emphasizes challenges related to cloud security, including concerns about securing cloud-based applications and data, shortage of skilled staff, and fear of advanced threats targeting cloud providers. It also addresses connectivity challenges and the increasing demand for managed cybersecurity services.
3. What concerns about cloud security are highlighted in the research?
The survey indicates concerns about securing cloud-based applications and data, shortage of skilled staff for cloud security management, and fears of advanced threats targeting cloud application providers. These underline the importance of robust security policies and flexible network traffic routing for remote access.
4. How are connectivity challenges affecting remote work environments?
Organizations face hurdles in providing remote employees with adequate network speed and data access. Challenges include bandwidth limitations, especially for employees sharing residential networks. The solution involves offering dedicated, enterprise-grade connectivity separate from residential networks.
5. What are the anticipated needs for managed cybersecurity services?
The study suggests a heightened need for managed cybersecurity services, including disaster recovery, business continuity, guidance from experts, and managed detection and response. These services extend data protection and offer comprehensive security solutions for expanded remote work setups.
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