Communication Privacy and Security in Virtual Workspaces

 

Why is workplace security important?

Workspace security is the use of devices and techniques to safeguard private information, networks, and user access in online workspaces without impairing user experience.

Nowadays, there are numerous online solutions available to provide employees with the programs, documents, and other materials they need to complete their tasks from any location. However, there are security issues with working remotely. While maintaining strict data security, a secure workplace solution can meet employee expectations for a timely experience.

Workplace security makes sure that employees can work whenever they want, from any location, without risking the safety of the company. The security threats increase when a business connects to more solution providers, systems, and data. (What is Workspace Security? How to Secure Access to a Remote Workspace - Citrix, no date)

The threat environment for cyberattacks has shifted as more people work from home. Social engineering and spam methods are continually expanding. With more people using BYOD (bring your own device), internet restrictions have been eased up, which has led to an increase in the spread of spyware.

Whereas in the past, when business continuity was often considered at the level of a structure, establishment, state, or nation. With the changing working environment, the new backup strategies may change to make working from home the default condition for conducting business. To keep an adaptable supply chain, the nature of corporate collaborations and connections, as well as those with third parties and vendors, would need to be reconsidered. (SECURITY IN THE VIRTUAL WORKSPACE: Managing Cyber Risk in the New Normal, no date)

In order to adhere to the new norms, businesses should quickly assess their systems and regulations. Some of these factors will be essential in developing an adaptive workforce and guaranteeing the accessibility of the systems required to maintain productivity and support the workforce's adoption of the new way of working. (SECURITY IN THE VIRTUAL WORKSPACE: Managing Cyber Risk in the New Normal, no date)

1. Cybersecurity Risk

There remains a need for preserving an effective security strategy and verify adherence even while enterprises are moving toward a virtual workplace to sustain service continuity. According to security experts, Large-scale remote working has increased the risk of fraudulent scams and other online risks for both people and businesses.

Important goals include:

Enables staff to work securely on any device and from any location

Ensure regulatory compliance while lowering the risk of data breaches

Improve cyber defenses in order to ensure firms can react to and handle cyber security issues promptly

Practices;

Make sure remote working is possible for security operations teams.

Provide education on cyber threats like phishing, malware, and blackmail 

Make sure that user activity in the virtual workplace is actively monitored for security issues.

Assessing the risk from cyberspace and reviewing the cyber security plan

Establish clear procedures for secure communicating, collaborating, and sharing sensitive information through a variety of platforms.

Implementing security measures for end users, systems, and data

Evaluate and strengthen the stability of the current cyber security position.

2. Privacy

Innovations in technology are needed for working remotely. These tools are used to share and maintain private information, such as that which organizations are required by contract or law to keep private or confidential, as well as publicly available information. It is necessary to think about how to gather, utilize, and disclose personal information about employees and staff in a way that complies with privacy laws in order to enable a virtual workplace.

Important goals include:

Increasing attention to data protection and ensuring adherence to necessary information protection laws

Allowing and preserving access rights if there is personal data

Practices;

Move to a cloud VDI platform to ensure that all connections provide sufficient security for the privacy of data being accessed and shared.

Bringing privacy into practice from the start for all new and modified apps, processes, and technology

Limit the download of sensitive data to personal devices.

Employees should have role-based access to prevent the misuse of personal data.

Deploy data leakage preventive technology on all systems where sensitive personal information can be obtained and processed. Obtain and preserve sensitive personal information in an organized digital format to increase reuse of information.

Sharing of highly sensitive personal data inside or outside of the country is only permitted if the recipient guarantees the same degree of data security.

3. Collaborative Technology Platform

A virtual workplace that enables people to interact, engage, and create more effectively is built on  technological collaborative platforms. Organizations are beginning to recognize the necessity of    making technical and infrastructure investments to support remote working and virtual collaboration skills.

Important goals Include:

Offer collaboration and connection-friendly technological solutions that are easier to adopt.

Streamline project management duties to increase output overall.

Practices;

Ensure that remote working capabilities are expanded to accommodate a wide range of devices.

Apply a comprehensive approach to collaboration

Make sure to implement new policies and processes and to fully train resources to use collaboration platforms for remote working.

Utilize technology to enable flexible capacity planning, such as the cloud

Establish policies and controls to guarantee employees have access to the platform regardless of times.

Give staff members enough flexibility by allowing access through mobile applications.

Implement process automation methods, automated help desk services

Promote a data-driven culture to enable flexibility and the supply of information about changing client needs.

Use both enlarged and virtual environments to enhance collaboration

4. Operational Effectiveness

The new concept of the virtual office is all about enhancing the user experience through the development of efficient processes that are unmatched by those produced by conventional workplace models.

Important goals include;

Highlighting how people can continue to work productively by meeting their desire to feel connected, involved, and inspired

Meeting the operational demands of the business even in the absence of a building, providing quality, and adapting to consumer expectations
Streamlining processes to increase efficiency

Practices;

Improve operational effectiveness by regulating and combining activities using technological solutions.

Use flexible techniques to transform operations for the virtual workplace.

Pay attention to low-hanging technology opportunities.

To assess and monitor the effectiveness of the digital workplace, establish detailed metrics.

Examine the processes that can be automated to provide more rapid operation

Create self-service or chatbots to increase the effectiveness of your business.

Utilize information and analytical tools to continually enhance the operations.

Review the remote work environment concept to take the new normal into consideration.

 

More than just securing environment from threats and vulnerabilities is required to secure access to apps and data. No need for numerous sign-ins or passwords should be required for smooth access.

Employees on-site and remotely located alike require quick and secure access to applications and data as hybrid workforces expand. Companies cannot risk their data over distributed devices without a centralized security system. (What is Workspace Security? How to Secure Access to a Remote Workspace - Citrix, no date)

 

 

References;

1       What is Workspace Security? How to Secure Access to a Remote Workspace - Citrix (no date) Citrix.com. Available at: https://www.citrix.com/solutions/digital-workspace/what-is-workspace-security.html.

2.       ‌ SECURITY IN THE VIRTUAL WORKSPACE: Managing Cyber Risk in the New Normal (no date) www.cioandleader.com. Available at: https://www.cioandleader.com/article/2020/07/21/security-virtual-workspace-managing-cyber-risk-new-normal (Accessed: 27 August 2023).