In the first few months of the pandemic, cloud-based cybersecurity attacks increased by 630% with attackers making the most of the vulnerabilities of a rushed effort for staff to work from home. However, shock-worthy statistics like this don\u2019t paint a clear picture of the cybersecurity realities of remote working. The truth is that 44% of employers didn\u2019t provide any cybersecurity training to staff when the pandemic hit, and 66% of employers didn\u2019t even go to the effort of providing antivirus software for their workforce, which would be considered a bottom-line essential in the office.<\/p>\n
Recent media coverage has been fixated on the voices of business owners concerned over the risks of remote working, with cybersecurity claims central to the debate. Yet amongst all of the noise, there has been little discussion of how these risks weigh up against the wellbeing benefits of remote working. Considering employees are the core of all workplace success, staff welfare is an integral part of the debate that is currently being underrepresented.<\/p>\n
With so many businesses eager for a full return to the office, the often misunderstood complexities of cybersecurity are an ideal scapegoat for employers desperate to see the end of remote working.<\/p>\n
For remote working to be a mutual success, trust is integral to the relationship between employers and their staff working from home. Understandably, businesses that were very watchful of their employees in the office were stuck with the biggest loss of power during the WFH shift. However, according to the latest coronavirus and homeworking figures released from the Office of National Statistics, although one-third of employees completed fewer hours of work at home, an equal amount completed more, so there\u2019s no strong evidence that employees work less from home.<\/p>\n