Employers increase cybersecurity budgets as workplaces go hybrid

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, a new study find that over 50% of U.K. businesses will institute a hybrid workforce model this summer.

In a survey of 1,000 business owners by Nexor, 9% of respondents said they have already transitioned to a hybrid model, while 45% plan to do so over the next 12 months. Only 3% of bosses said they’ve always had a distributed workforce.

When asked to compare their concerns about the shift to hybrid work, one in three U.K. employers named productivity their biggest worry. Other concerns include:

• Maintaining an even playing field where all employees feel they have an opportunity to progress (28%)
• Communication (24%)
• Managing split teams effectively (24%) 
• Collaboration (20%)
• Cybersecurity (18%)

When it comes to cybersecurity, four in ten bosses admit their biggest challenge is ensuring their business is sufficiently protected against cyber threats. A further 23% said their main hurdle is knowing where to start or being able to afford adequate cyber protection. 

Looking ahead to 2022, 63% of employers will be increasing their cybersecurity budget. A further one in ten (41%) plan to invest in a stand-alone cyber insurance policy over the next 12 months.

Source: https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/96363-employers-increase-cybersecurity-budgets-as-workplaces-go-hybrid