NC Nov-Dec 2021

COMMENT
COMMENT
READY TO WELCOME A HYBRID NEW YEAR?
As we go to print with this issue of Network Computing the UK Government's Plan B
measures have come into effect and all those who weren't already working from home
are being urged to do so once again. It's been clear for some time now that the workplace
has changed irrevocably and hybrid working is here to stay - so how can we ensure
we're working smoothly and securely in the year ahead?
According to Thomas LaRock, Head Geek at SolarWinds, we need to start normalising risk
aversion as we head into 2022. "That is, moving from simply accepting the current exposure
to a mindset where any level of risk exposure is unacceptable. This means beginning to evaluate
and implement the principles of a secure enterprise, starting first and foremost with
understanding security compromises will happen as cyber hackers deploy more sophisticated
attacks. Tech pros should also implement detection, monitoring, alerts, and response along
the kill chain and engage in red team/tabletop exercises to measure effectiveness."
This is echoed by a new whitepaper from VIPRE UK which highlights the need for a change
of employee mindset, urging us to embrace the concept of the 'human firewall': "The 'new
normal' of hybrid working opens up a variety of cyber attack points, including unsecured
internet connections, to simple distractions you normally wouldn't have in an office environment.
Protection starts with the human, as 85% of data breaches involve an internal mistake,
indicating a need for change, and the foundation of this is investing in your human firewall."
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Ransomware is also set to proliferate in the new year, with industry experts forecasting a significant
increase in the rate and sophistication of attacks. Ian McShane, Field CTO, Arctic
Wolf cautions that "We're currently stuck in a culture of 'the here and now' around ransomware.
The National Cybersecurity Centre's latest report on the UK's 'hacking epidemic'
suggests ransomware is an established threat the government is finally waking up to. Soon
though, they will realise this is just the start of a bigger cybersecurity challenge UK businesses
will face heading into 2022. While ransomware is here to stay, it will quickly be recognised
that there is a bigger issue at play here - the entry point. Often technology is considered to
be the first line of defence, but the first line of defence is actually users. Right now, people
don't consider standard technology and users part of the greater supply chain because it does
not feel like a security issue. The fact is simply using email is a supply chain concern."
Whether working home or away - or a hybrid point somewhere between the two - we'll all
have a part to play in keeping this new networking normal secure. NC
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