The modern workplace: Creating a secure environment for peak productivity

The modern workplace is defined by its lack of physical boundaries and prioritizing the needs of the whole workforce. But at present, almost half of employers do not have confidence that people can work securely from anywhere. 

As our capacity for working anywhere expands, so does the attack surface for cybercriminals. Security must be at the heart of tech infrastructure for startups, both in and out of the office. 

The next generation of modern workforces, from solo founders to enterprises and beyond, need to go beyond basic password protection and restricted-access file storage to defend against emerging threats. Advanced security measures might have a reputation for being cumbersome or restrictive, but many modern options run 24/7 with minimal input from IT managers and employees.   

This doesn’t just protect employees’ capacity to be creative and productive; it also makes for a more agile startup with significantly reduced downtime, far fewer vulnerabilities, and peace of mind that its devices and data are protected. 

Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) security 

BYOD – having employees use their personal devices for work – is a popular solution for startups looking to prioritize their investments.  

The work of a founder isn’t always nine to five, five days a week – working on a personal device enables that necessary flexibility without the need for a company-provided device. As the business grows, this approach also enables employees to work more flexibly, unlocking the productivity improvements that come with choosing their own work schedule.  

BYOD models are also a benefit to employees, who get to use their favorite devices with a familiar operating system and any accessibility features that improve their experience. 

That said, one of the biggest threats to startups is the loss of trust following a security breach. The ultimate trade-off with BYOD is between protecting employees’ freedom and privacy, and the need for businesses to uphold data protection.  

There are a few different ways to approach security, but one effective way to do it is through containerization. 

Containerization creates an isolated environment on a device like a phone, tablet or laptop for managed work apps, essentially creating two devices in one. The personal environment on the device is kept entirely private, while the work environment is encrypted and can be remotely managed by the organization. If the device is lost or stolen, the work container can be remotely wiped, leaving the personal side of the device intact. 

A BYOD security policy is still necessary for containerisation to work without compromising business data, so bear in mind that employees may be resistant to handing over any sort of control over their personal device.  

Installing apps in the work container of the device can also be a challenge, potentially stifling creativity and productivity when employees can’t easily trial new ways of working. If that’s something your business might rely on, investing in business-specific devices could be the better solution. 

Ultra-secure tech infrastructure 

If your startup is growing rapidly or you handle lots of highly sensitive data, chances are a BYOD approach isn’t going to work for your business and you’ll need to make a tech investment instead. 

As the way we work evolves and cyber threats become more sophisticated, it’s clear that basic anti-malware software is no longer enough to protect your data and devices. Security must be built in at every level. 

Moving to cloud-based solutions and keeping the number of devices in your business to a minimum are great places to start. These measures make it easier to have total visibility over your IT infrastructure and install security patches more easily, leaving fewer points of vulnerability. 

Look for devices that come with advanced security features built into the hardware that defend against attacks on the computer’s Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), which starts up before your operating system does. Attacks on the BIOS can access encrypted files, steal user credentials and even tamper with your operating system.  

Continually monitoring systems 

Similarly, AI threat detection is now embedded on some devices to continuously analyze your system data and detect threats. This constant monitoring helps to address points of vulnerability left by popular antivirus software, and works in the background to detect threats early, minimizing disruption as well as providing more comprehensive protection.  

Boosted cybersecurity doesn’t have to drain your finances, either. Some suppliers offer PC-as-a-service (or device-as-a-service) models, where businesses pay a fixed monthly price for access to top-of-the-range devices with advanced security features.  

Many packages also include remote device management and day-to-day support to keep your business totally secure without a minute wasted. 

Security is vital for productivity 

It can be hard to get your head around advanced security measures, especially with the work and threat landscapes evolving so quickly – but it’s well worth it.   

Ensuring your devices and data are protected will give you peace of mind that your business is safe. This should dramatically reduce the downtime needed to deal with security threats, and enable your employees to focus their attention on being more productive and creative. 

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Join DWEN and connect with women founders

Technology is evolving rapidly and there are more opportunities than ever to use cutting-edge capabilities in your startup – but you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

O Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) is a global community of women entrepreneurs, investors and advisors. As a DWEN member, you can share stories, learn from others, and access tailored resources to help your startup reach its maximum potential.

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