FINAL WORD connecting regularly to the network at its Edge means that organisations are faced with a much larger attack surface , but lack a good view of it . They must find ways to increase visibility and control – without increasing workload . After all , securing and monitoring end-users , devices and things , on a scale that a hybrid workplace model requires , takes time that IT teams do not have . spoken about the need to provide the same levels of connectivity and access .
The quality of network experience directly impacts workforce productivity , collaboration and working relationships and as such , employee experience is fast becoming a performance metric for IT .
Guido Kragten , Category Lead for Cloud
Platforms at Aruba , a Hewlett Packard company
Automation and Zero Trust security models are the only way to effectively streamline security operations . With real-time monitoring , IT teams will be able to detect , prevent , isolate and stop network breaches , ideally before they happen . Solutions like automatic device categorisation based on network fingerprint and dynamic segmentation will provide the reliable , effortless control needed .
But they should also be aware that any failures in connectivity and access will have implications for security and can compound threats . If employers fail to provide adequate remote working solutions , employees may search for digital workarounds , potentially downloading and installing tools and apps from questionable sources . Security must get back on the front foot .
Organisations need to take full responsibility for the at-home employee experience
The only way a hybrid workplace model can truly succeed is if the work-from-home experience is on par with the in-office experience . We have already
But network performance cannot be the only consideration and satisfied employees require more than just digital capabilities .
If the home office is to truly be a permanent extension of the workplace , employers must take a more holistic approach to equipping the employee experience .
This means that factors such as physical workspaces , comfort and ergonomics and additional equipment like headsets and monitors – which have largely been left to employees to date – may now also be considered the employer ’ s responsibility under a hybrid workplace model .
What other benefits are employees missing out on when they work from home ? What tools and equipment do they not have access to ? What aspects of the employee experience would discourage them from seeing the home office as a viable alternative – and can we address them ?
These are all questions that organisations must ask if they want to successfully integrate the home office into their long-term strategy .
Employee experience is fast becoming a performance metric for IT .
What does the future hold ?
The truth is that no one knows . As we saw in 2020 , circumstances can change at any moment and organisations must be ready to respond accordingly .
What happens if your employees grow tired of working from home ? If the trend for third-party collaboration spaces picks up where it left off pre-pandemic ?
With this in mind , flexible network technology such as Remote Access Points offer a low-risk solution to support home workers at the Edge as needed .
They offer easy provisioning and can be easily turned off and mailed back – providing control and visibility while ensuring a consistent , safe experience .
Longer-term , organisations will need to focus on building an agile network that can scale when and as required . This will be the most resourceful way of ensuring that you only pay for the connectivity you need at any given time . p
86 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com