Use of unregistered devices and unsecured networks during hybrid work model increases cybersecurity risk: investigation

With a hybrid model enabling employees to work remotely and ensuring business continuity for businesses, the use of unregistered devices by employees to access work platforms adds new security challenges for organizations in India, according to a new survey from Cisco.

The scenario is further complicated as employees connect to work from multiple networks through their homes, local cafes, and even supermarkets.

According to the recent Cisco survey, nine out of 10 respondents (90%) surveyed in India say their employees use unregistered devices to log into work platforms.

“About 82% say their employees spend more than 10% of the day working from these unregistered devices,” he said.

This risk associated with such a practice is recognized by security officials, with 95% of respondents in India saying that logging in remotely for hybrid work has increased the likelihood of cybersecurity incidents occurring.

Around 94% of respondents in India say their employees use at least two networks to connect to work, and 57% say their employees use more than five networks for the same thing.

The report, My Position, My Device: The New Challenge of Hybrid Workplace Cybersecurity, surveyed 6,700 security professionals from 27 countries.

It highlights security professionals’ concerns about the use of unregistered devices and potentially insecure networks to access work platforms and the risks associated with such behavior.

Samir Kumar Mishra, Director of Security Sales, Cisco India and SAARC, noted that disruptions are now happening faster than ever.

“Security resilience, preparedness and response must be at the forefront in order to navigate the escalating threat landscape in 2023,” he added.

The report found that 90% of security managers in India said cybersecurity incidents are likely to disrupt their business in the next 12-24 months.

“The silver lining is that they prepare to protect themselves from internal and external threats,” the study adds.

With the challenges well recognized, 95% of security leaders in India expect their organization to increase its cybersecurity budget by more than 10% over the next year, and almost all expect upgrades. upgrade of IT infrastructure in the next 24 months, reveals the study.

---