The Security Challenges of a Hybrid Workforce

By Jim Routh

Fellow, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology

The transition to hybrid work models has significantly expanded the security challenges faced by organizations. As employees and third parties access company resources from various remote locations, the enterprise attack surface has increased, necessitating a reevaluation of existing cybersecurity controls. Traditional methods are proving inadequate, leading to a rise in cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift, with many enterprises struggling to bring employees back to physical offices. This new landscape requires organizations to implement more robust identity and access management practices, especially as remote work environments often lack the security measures found in corporate settings.

To effectively manage these evolving risks, enterprises must adopt continuous authentication and real-time risk management strategies. Conventional password-based systems are insufficient for the demands of modern digital environments, where users require access to numerous assets. Implementing continuous identity validation can enhance security by adapting access controls based on user behavior and environmental factors. Additionally, third-party governance must evolve to include real-time data-driven assessments that allow organizations to respond swiftly to changes in risk posture. By investing in advanced cybersecurity technologies and practices tailored for hybrid work, enterprises can better protect sensitive information and reduce their overall attack surface.

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