Choosing How to Protect Your Business Doesn’t Have to Be a Hard Decision

Businesses often prioritize different parts of their operations. Some focus on security while others focus on business continuity, even though both are absolutely critical to the long-term success of organizations. This issue is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, something which has forced some organizations to opt for one over the other.

A survey published by HP Wolf Security discusses how many IT professionals feel that they are forced to prioritize business continuity over network security. The overwhelming majority--91%--have felt pressured into focusing on business continuity and the preservation of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not surprising, especially due to the shift to a remote work environment for many organizations.

Other notable numbers include the following:

• 76% feel that security is placed on the backburner rather than a priority.
• 83% feel that their organization’s security is becoming a “ticking time bomb,” as in it’s only a matter of time before something goes horribly wrong.

These numbers are particularly concerning due to the relationship that many workers have with security, particularly younger workers who want to get the job done in the most efficient way possible. 48% of respondents claimed that these security measures got in their way, and 31% found themselves trying to circumvent them entirely.

Young people are far from the only culprits here, though. In general, 48% of workers found that security measures seem to just waste their time, and 54% of the 18-to-24-year-old category were more concerned with meeting their deadlines and getting the job done than with the security of their systems. Furthermore, a shocking 39% of respondents claimed that they did not know anything about the security policies for their organizations.

Now, you might be thinking that you should take your employees’ views on this subject with a grain of salt, but when you consider that this kind of mindset will not produce the results you want, you might change your mind. Perhaps a different mindset is needed, as one where security is front-and-center and embedded into the culture of your organization can yield the results you need.

We know that prioritizing operations over network security is not preferable, which is why Computerware works with our clients to help businesses ensure security without compromising on other parts of your operation. We can be involved in the implementation of security measures, train your employees on how to use them, and ensure that your organization is protected at all times. To learn more, reach out to us at (703) 821-8200.