The Safe-T Response to The National Remote Working Strategy
We are now into the second year of disrupted working arrangements due to the pandemic. Thankfully as we enter the spring and summer of 2021, there are signs that things may be improving. The winter surge in cases is behind us, and vaccination programs are accelerating across Europe.
This progress has started conversations about the return to office-based working and all the other activities that have been on hold for the last year. It'll be interesting to see the new normal when the dust settles, and what new working practices are established across the economy. Many believe that the way we worked in 2019 before the pandemic took hold is confined to history and that a hybrid working model will be the new normal.
The Irish Government agrees, and to help foster that model and drive investment in smaller population centres and rural areas, they have published a strategy document titled Making Remote Work. The strategy looks to build on the forced remote working that the pandemic imposed on many sectors.
The Safe-T View on the Making Remote Work Strategy
At Safe-T, we agree with the view that the new normal after the pandemic restrictions are lifted will be a hybrid working model. People will split their time between main offices, branches, home working, and other remote working locations. Many people will not have a set schedule that dictates how much time they spend at each. Work will be fluid and ever-changing.
We won't repeat much from the strategy document as it's best to read it at the source. But one thing worth highlighting is the drive for remote working to be embedded into Ireland's future culture. I quote:
The objective is to ensure that remote working is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.[1]
The strategy then outlines how this will be achieved and how it will be driven via policies, and how this will benefit communities across Ireland.
The National Remote Work Strategy is interesting, and we agree that the pandemic has accelerated remote working and the work from home culture. We agree that most people will end up splitting their time working from home and office, increasing the need for flexible solutions to govern, control, and secure access. While the strategy document covers many advantages and disadvantages of remote working, it does have one significant omission. There are no mentions of security or cybersecurity in the Making Remote Work document.
While understandable that a Government report wouldn't outline how to deliver security, it's a strange omission not to mention it at all. As many people reading this will be aware, the pandemic has seen a significant increase in cybercriminal activity. Mainly around the increased attack surface and isolation of staff introduced by the sudden and then protracted expansion of remote working and remote access to IT systems.
Cybersecurity Considerations for Remote Working
Cybersecurity will be a central requirement for any future hybrid working strategy. It can't be bolted on as an afterthought. It needs to be front and centre in all policy and decision making. This is as true at the business and organisation level as it is at the national level. To this end Safe-T and Renaissance are holding a remote working focused webinar on the 19th of May 2021. We will cover the cybersecurity considerations that you need to address to deliver a safe and secure remote working strategy during this session. Such as:
- Risks of remote working
- Traditional VPN challenges
- Zero Trust Network Access
- Reducing the network attack surface
- Business agility, continuity and compliance
- Secure & flexible hybrid working practices
We will also have a Q&A where you can ask any questions you might have about remote working now and into the future.
For more information or to register visit: https://d36.co/14t4r
Conclusion
Remote working is here to stay. Doing it securely is a must if you want to protect your staff, data, clients, and customers. And defend your organisations against GDPR and other regulatory scrutiny. Sign up and join us on the Webinar to learn more, or contact us at any time to discuss your needs.
[1] Making Remote Work. Government of Ireland 2021. Page 2.