+ A
A -
Tribune News Network
Doha
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, released on Thursday survey results showing how remote workers are addressing cybersecurity.
According to the survey, more than four-fifths or 85 percent of remote workers in Qatar, claim they have been more conscious of the cyber security policies of their company since the lockout started, an increase on the global average of 72 percent, but others also violate the rules because of insufficient awareness or resource constraints.
Trend Micro’s leadership in Qatar agreed that organisations in the country have significantly increased their awareness of security during the lockdown phase, creating greater business security and agility that is good for major events set to take place in the country.
Trend Micro’s Head in the Clouds study has been distilled from interviews with 13,200 remote workers across 27 countries, including remote knowledge workers in Qatar, on their attitudes towards cybersecurity and IT policies. It reveals that there has never been a better time for companies to take advantage of increased awareness of cybersecurity for employees. The survey shows that the approach taken by companies to training is crucial to ensuring that safe practices are followed and that they are ‘future-proof’ for the future of remote business practices.
The results indicate a high level of security awareness in Qatar, with 82 percent of respondents claiming that they take their IT team’s instructions seriously and 83 percent agree that cybersecurity within their organisation is partly their responsibility.
In addition, 64 percent acknowledge that the use of non-work applications on a corporate device is a security risk.
However, just because most people understand the risks, it doesn’t mean they stick to the rules.
For example:
? Twenty percent of employees confirm that they use a non-work application on a corporate device without permission. Forty percent admit to using a non-work application on a corporate device but have asked permission from IT to do so. Forty-two percent of them have actually uploaded corporate data to that application.
? Fifty percent of respondents confirmed using their work laptop for personal browsing, and 81% of them fully restrict the sites they visit.
? Twenty-four percent of respondents say they often or always access corporate data from a personal device – almost certainly breaking corporate security policy.
? Eight percent of respondents confirm that they play games on their work laptops, and Eight percent access the dark web.
Productivity still wins out over protection for many users in Qatar. A third of respondents (38%) agree that they do not give much thought to whether the apps they use are sanctioned by IT or not, as they just want the job done. Additionally, thirty-two think they can get away with using a non-work application, as the solutions provided by their company are ‘nonsense.’
Trend Micro’s Head in the Clouds study looks into the psychology of people’s behaviour in terms of cybersecurity, including their attitudes towards risk. It presents several common information security “personas” with the aim of helping organisations tailor their cybersecurity strategy in the right way for the right employee, including employees who take a conscientious, fearful, ignorant, or ‘daredevil’ approach to cybersecurity.
“Compliance is among the major areas of focus in security for Qatar-based organizations, and this research demonstrates that workers understand and value the need for security compliance to protect their company. Since lockdown, we have seen a ‘zero tolerance’ approach toward security, particularly in the public sector, while organizations anticipate that they could again have a remote working scenario. The survey results reflect that Qatari organizations are looking toward major upcoming events to ensure that they are fully prepared with the appropriate people and processes in place, from the largest public sector clients to the mid-sized and emerging businesses,” said Assad Arabi, Country Manager, Qatar at Trend Micro.
“The results of the survey also show that, in today’s interconnected world, unashamedly ignoring cyber security guidance is no longer a viable option for employees in Qatar,” said Assad Arabi. “It is encouraging to see that many employees take the advice of their corporate IT teams seriously. Having said that, a small number of individuals may not comply with security policies and this endangers the entire organisation. A one size fits all ‘security awareness programme is a non-starter, as diligent employees can be penalised, so a tailored training programme designed to cater to employees can be more effective.”
Doha
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, released on Thursday survey results showing how remote workers are addressing cybersecurity.
According to the survey, more than four-fifths or 85 percent of remote workers in Qatar, claim they have been more conscious of the cyber security policies of their company since the lockout started, an increase on the global average of 72 percent, but others also violate the rules because of insufficient awareness or resource constraints.
Trend Micro’s leadership in Qatar agreed that organisations in the country have significantly increased their awareness of security during the lockdown phase, creating greater business security and agility that is good for major events set to take place in the country.
Trend Micro’s Head in the Clouds study has been distilled from interviews with 13,200 remote workers across 27 countries, including remote knowledge workers in Qatar, on their attitudes towards cybersecurity and IT policies. It reveals that there has never been a better time for companies to take advantage of increased awareness of cybersecurity for employees. The survey shows that the approach taken by companies to training is crucial to ensuring that safe practices are followed and that they are ‘future-proof’ for the future of remote business practices.
The results indicate a high level of security awareness in Qatar, with 82 percent of respondents claiming that they take their IT team’s instructions seriously and 83 percent agree that cybersecurity within their organisation is partly their responsibility.
In addition, 64 percent acknowledge that the use of non-work applications on a corporate device is a security risk.
However, just because most people understand the risks, it doesn’t mean they stick to the rules.
For example:
? Twenty percent of employees confirm that they use a non-work application on a corporate device without permission. Forty percent admit to using a non-work application on a corporate device but have asked permission from IT to do so. Forty-two percent of them have actually uploaded corporate data to that application.
? Fifty percent of respondents confirmed using their work laptop for personal browsing, and 81% of them fully restrict the sites they visit.
? Twenty-four percent of respondents say they often or always access corporate data from a personal device – almost certainly breaking corporate security policy.
? Eight percent of respondents confirm that they play games on their work laptops, and Eight percent access the dark web.
Productivity still wins out over protection for many users in Qatar. A third of respondents (38%) agree that they do not give much thought to whether the apps they use are sanctioned by IT or not, as they just want the job done. Additionally, thirty-two think they can get away with using a non-work application, as the solutions provided by their company are ‘nonsense.’
Trend Micro’s Head in the Clouds study looks into the psychology of people’s behaviour in terms of cybersecurity, including their attitudes towards risk. It presents several common information security “personas” with the aim of helping organisations tailor their cybersecurity strategy in the right way for the right employee, including employees who take a conscientious, fearful, ignorant, or ‘daredevil’ approach to cybersecurity.
“Compliance is among the major areas of focus in security for Qatar-based organizations, and this research demonstrates that workers understand and value the need for security compliance to protect their company. Since lockdown, we have seen a ‘zero tolerance’ approach toward security, particularly in the public sector, while organizations anticipate that they could again have a remote working scenario. The survey results reflect that Qatari organizations are looking toward major upcoming events to ensure that they are fully prepared with the appropriate people and processes in place, from the largest public sector clients to the mid-sized and emerging businesses,” said Assad Arabi, Country Manager, Qatar at Trend Micro.
“The results of the survey also show that, in today’s interconnected world, unashamedly ignoring cyber security guidance is no longer a viable option for employees in Qatar,” said Assad Arabi. “It is encouraging to see that many employees take the advice of their corporate IT teams seriously. Having said that, a small number of individuals may not comply with security policies and this endangers the entire organisation. A one size fits all ‘security awareness programme is a non-starter, as diligent employees can be penalised, so a tailored training programme designed to cater to employees can be more effective.”
