Cyber Defense eMagazine February Edition for 2023

1. Facing the Cyber Crisis
No company is immune to cyber-attacks - even companies with the largest security budgets can fall
victim. Ransomware, in this context, is costing organizations an average of $4.5 million, but that doesn’t
account for one of the most financially devastating consequences: complete loss of productivity during
the remediation process.
Business continuity requires company leaders to go beyond ransomware prevention measures and
prioritize a strategic recovery plan for ‘if and when’ an attack occurs. One approach that will continue to
gain traction is leveraging Cloud PCs, which are serving as a modern “insurance plan” for supporting
productivity amid the recovery process. With the right solution, a fleet of Cloud PCs can be available less
than an hour after an attack, enabling employees to keep the business running if the worst-case scenario
becomes a reality.
Cloud PCs are deployed in an isolated, protected environment that can span multiple clouds and multiple
cloud regions – so organizations can get back to work while mitigation and recovery steps are taken after
the attack.
In the coming year and beyond, organizations will accelerate cloud adoption to strengthen overall
information security for the enterprise. Cloud PCs eliminate the risks that physical PCs bring and should
be at the forefront for modernizing end-user computing. Look for Cloud PC solutions that separate the
control and data planes and enforce the Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) for the strongest security.
2. Hybrid Work Takes Center Stage
It is not surprising that hybrid/remote work is having an impact on the way businesses adopt new
technologies. As we move forward into newer implementations and budgets begin to shift in 2023, the
hybrid work model will shape IT spending.
The hyper-digital generations – such as Gen Z – and others have found personal and professional value
through a hybrid work experience. To attract top talent, organizations need to provide employees with
the tools they need to properly do their job, anywhere, anytime.
This workforce paradigm shift, where employees have more power to make demands about how and
where they want to work, will force the hand of organizations (even more) to ensure their benefits reflect
the hybrid work era. As work models evolve to hybrid, the cloud becomes an even more powerful force
for competitive advantage as businesses vie for the best talent available.
3. Strategic Rationalization of Cost
Despite recent changes in the economy, the digital transformation is still well underway. Gartner forecasts
an increase of 5.1% in global IT spend in 2023, up from 0.8% growth in 2022. In 2023, making the right
technology investments will be critical for navigating workforce change during a challenging economic
climate.
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