Cybersecurity in the Pandemic: What Have We Learned?

COVID-19 has presented challenges to the world on a massive scale and it is safe to say that the ongoing pandemic has created a fundamental shift in the way we live, work, and see the world. Businesses and employees across the world have faced these challenges head-on and adapted to these uncertain times. Though the pandemic has caused immense damage to the economy, strained our healthcare system, and taken an emotional toll on humanity, it is important to understand what we have learned through this process.

Let's examine the current situation and identify some technology and business lessons we can take away from this unique experience.

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Preparation is Key

Being prepared for the unknown and having safeguards in place can sometimes take a backseat to other daily priorities. It is unlikely any of us could have predicted the major shift the workforce experienced this year because of a worldwide pandemic. However, COVID-19 showed us the importance of being prepared for even the most uncommon scenarios. Businesses learned whether their existing business recovery plan was enough to meet current challenges, or in some cases, discovered the need to develop one.

Technology allowed companies to continue operations remotely but exposed vulnerabilities at the same time. As employees work from home, setting up safety nets and providing access to remote technology is integral and requires employees to take an active role in protecting company assets and resources. Securing employee devices became a priority, as did reinforcing cybersecurity and digital safety to those working from home.

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Proactive Monitoring Drives Security

A major takeaway from the pandemic is the significance of network monitoring and security. Employees working remotely need to securely access resources and the need for tech professionals to monitor activity and traffic. The pandemic created a major uptick in cyberattacks and the shift to working from home shed light on the fact that the IT team should always be monitoring company networks and resources.

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Critical Need for Collaboration

If a company was not operating collaboratively prior to the pandemic, they have likely changed their ways. The sudden and, in many cases, long-term shift to remote working created the need for collaboration across the board. Our way of thinking when it comes to work has changed over the past year as we face these challenges together. Consistent communication and staying in touch with customers and clients have never been more important for companies of any size. For many businesses, partnering with a managed services provider to address technology obstacles has proven beneficial.

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Be Flexible to Handle Shifting Priorities

As business priorities shift, companies are recognizing the importance for quicker pivoting and flexibility to handle what is next. While many companies have adapted to the "new normal," we need to remember that we are not completely out of the woods when it comes to this pandemic. There may be further shifts to be made in how we conduct business and flexibility will be key. Businesses can no longer operate with the "this is how we have always done things" mindset. Companies might need to get creative when it comes to meeting customer needs and capturing new business.

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Establish Partnerships in Uncertain Times

There is little doubt that the pandemic has had a sweeping and wide-reaching impact on every corner of the world. Businesses need to pivot and adapt to the situation in order to survive. Partnering with a managed services provider to address technology challenges can be the first step in developing a strategy that achieves longevity and meets customers' needs.

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