In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses have leveraged the cloud to shift their operations online.
Use of cloud-based, collaboration-focused business apps has increased by almost 500% since January 2020;[i] Microsoft Teams reported millions of new users as the pandemic hit, with 75 million added in April.[ii] Overall expenditures for cloud computing are seen to rise by 19% for 2020 despite IT spending falling by 8%.[iii]
These new ways of working also bring new threats.
A doubling of technology-based crimes in Hong Kong over the first half of 2020 have led to HK$1.52 billion (US$196 million) in losses.[iv] A majority of employees feel compelled to use insecure home devices and networks for work purposes anyway, despite admitting that their “devices were not fully secure against advanced cyber risks”.[v]
Worker safety and data security need not be mutually exclusive. On one hand, the “new normal” calls for employees to be trained in essential security habits.[vi]
On the other, companies must also invest in mobile solutions offering high security standards: multifunction printers that meet strict ISO 15408 Common Criteria for Information Technology; EDMS solutions that encrypt documents with up to 256-bit password security; and cloud-based document capture platforms with multi-layered security controls and active threat intelligence.[vii]
Even as circumstances call for moving more of your operations online, there’s no need to compromise your company’s security in the process.
References
[i] Rana, Akanksha et al. "Teleconference apps and new tech surge in demand amid coronavirus outbreak." Reuters. Reuters, March 14, 2020. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-teleconference/teleconference-apps-and-new-tech-surge-in-demand-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN21033K.
[ii] Zaveri, Paayal. "Microsoft Teams now has 75 million daily active users, adding 31 million in just over a month." Business Insider. Insider Inc., April 30, 2020. https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-teams-hits-75-million-daily-active-users-2020-4.
[iii] "Gartner Says Global IT Spending to Decline 8% in 2020 Due to Impact of COVID-19." Gartner. Gartner Inc., May 13, 2020. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-05-13-gartner-says-global-it-spending-to-decline-8-percent-in-2020-due-to-impact-of-covid19.
[iv] Lo, Clifford. "Cybercrime surges in Hong Kong as Covid-19 work-from-home arrangements leave people ‘vulnerable’ to fraudsters." South China Morning Post. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd., September 8, 2020.https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3100531/cybercrime-surges-hong-kong-covid-19-work-home.
[v] Yu, Eileen. "APAC employees not fully secure to work from home." ZDNet. CBS Interactive, June 8, 2020. https://www.zdnet.com/article/apac-employees-not-fully-secure-to-work-from-home/.
[vi] Lepassaar, Juhan. "Top Tips for Cybersecurity when Working Remotely." ENISA. European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, March 15, 2020. https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/executive-news/top-tips-for-cybersecurity-when-working-remotely.
[vii] "FUJIFILM Business Innovation Hong Kong Announces a Breakthrough in Cloud Based AI Platform with Microsoft Hong Kong - Capture and Flow Service." FUJIFILM Business Innovation Hong Kong. FUJIFILM Business Innovation Co. Ltd, June 18, 2020.