DEALER SUPPORT NOVEMBER 2021

INDUSTRY

THE MONTH THAT WAS

NEWS REPORT

Remote security top concern as hybrid working decentralises procurement

As hybrid working grows in the UK it can bring new security risks - which business owners and IT leads need to be aware of. Dealers can lead the way in ensuring the technology is secure

IT heads say data leaks in the home will cause the biggest security headache over the next two years as hybrid working arrangements see employees buying and installing their own technology, according to new research by Brother UK.

More than a third (34%) of respondents cited the issue as their top concern as more decentralised purchasing decisions for devices such as laptops, printers and scanners are creating more data vulnerabilities. The research, which surveyed 500 IT leads working for UK businesses, found that just 13% expect employees to be in the office full-time over the next two years. Other top concerns included data security in the office (27%), network security for remote workers (13%) and accountability (12%).

Work to minimise security risks was signalled by 23% of respondents anticipating that office technology would be centrally procured with employees purchasing home tech from approved supplier lists over the next two years - up from 19% which currently have this procurement model.

TOP PRIORITY However, 11% of IT leads said they expect all office and home technology to be procured by employees on their own over the same period, compared to just 5% currently operating in this way, This could signal some additional challenges for security in the future.

“The immediate challenge for IT leads in managing

people working from home is ensuring that the technology connected to business systems is secure,” said Mike Mulholland, head of services and solutions at Brother UK. “This is part of a wider opportunity for the channel, as they help customers respond to new challenges from the workforce becoming more dispersed by providing new solutions and services.

“It’s important that suppliers consult with clients on balancing the efficiencies gained from decentralised procurement against the security and integration that’s more assured from centralised decision-making. Helping customers to build lists of approved technology for employees to procure from may pay dividends in productivity and security benefits.

“It will also be important for IT vendors and partners to highlight when managed services can offer the best outcomes for businesses. Managed print services, for example, give IT managers full oversight of print fleets wherever they may be, enabling them to manage security settings, firmware updates, and diagnostics from afar.”

MANAGING SECURITY Overall, the research found security to be the top priority for IT heads, with 63% viewing the issue as ‘very important’ over the next two years, compared to 52% who cited productivity, 50% said cost-efficiency and 48% said sustainability.

Meanwhile, 49% link IT security with business resilience, and 66% said they are currently working towards improving their IT security to underpin resilience.

[08] NOVEMBER 2021 www.dealersupport.co.uk