If the hybrid workplace is here to stay, then security policy must put people first—understanding how the human element plays are role in protecting data is essential, but so is making sure any security measures don’t get in the way of their productivity.

People can be part of the problem but also part of the solution—cultural changes that go hand and hand with security policy can positively influence employee behaviours to make your hybrid office more secure.

Humans make mistakes

Quite often, people put the organization at risk and violate security policy unintentionally. Privileged users can unknowingly let their credentials get compromised, which allows threat actors to access systems and sensitive data. Although it’s usually an accident, occasionally a disgruntled employee may compromise the organization intentionally.

Human beings also fall for phishing scams, both on their personal devices and corporate workstations; in the hybrid office, this device can be one and the same. Scams that employ socially engineered malicious messages that encompass tax-themed phishing, dodgy downloads, fake payment and delivery, and invoice phishing, have become even more common during the pandemic and will likely continue apace in the hybrid office.

Some people are just plain careless, despite security policy guidance, by letting credentials lapse or not using multifactor authentication. Cybersecurity technology isn’t effective on its own without keeping people in mind. Yes, they need to be held accountable, but you must also meet them where they are. The hybrid office means your employees are moving between their work and personal lives more fluidly, including the devices they’re working in—this must be reflected in your security policy.

Remote work is here to stay

Meeting people where they are means your security policy outlines how they can help to keep their organizations securie without getting in the way of their productivity. Your security policy should assume that the hybrid office is here to stay for the foreseeable future and understand the impact of continued remote work.

IT teams must be prepared to support remote workers, who are likely to have less traditional schedules as they embrace flexibility, and adopt collaboration tools to work across different departments, including human resources as they onboard new workers who will be working remotely, on-site or a combination of both. The hybrid office has also meant a shift to “hoteling” as employees come to work a few hours a day or a couple of days week without their own dedicated workspace.

Remote work always had implications on security policy, even before the pandemic, but there has been an increase in malware incidents, data breaches and other poor security behaviors as more people work from home. Despite this spike, it’s important keep security simple for employees and engage regularly with through awareness training so they can help protect their hybrid office from threat actors.

A clear and concise security policy allows employees to be productive no matter where they are working so that security is not a barrier to productivity.

Sanjeev Spolia is CEO of Supra ITS