Facing up to data security concerns in the new hybrid world of work

Data security has always been a concern for businesses of all types. But with the proliferation of remote and hybrid work, those worries have surged, keeping HR, IT, and other professionals up at night. Sophisticated bad actors are wreaking havoc while businesses struggle to keep up with threats and mitigate damage. Surveys show employers are feeling compelled to increase spending on cybersecurity to respond to growing dangers. The task of keeping data safe seems overwhelming, but sound policies make a difference.

Understanding and tackling the threat

The technology giant Verizon released its 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). It looks at cybersecurity incidents that occurred between November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021. The report says that 82% of breaches during the study period involved the human element.

The report also found a 13% increase in ransomware breaches during the study period, a figure higher than the previous five years combined. Over half of the breaches involved the use of either remote access or web applications. Also, about two-thirds of the breaches involved phishing, stolen credentials, and/or ransomware, and 95% of the breaches had five or fewer steps.

As for who was responsible for the problems, the researchers found that almost four out of five breaches were attributable to organized crime. The main motivator was financial gain, followed by espionage.