Employer Work From Home Cybersecurity Practices Remain Inadequate
A survey released by PC Matic, comparing results to 2020 findings, signals employers continue to rely on lax cybersecurity policies.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Cybersecurity firm PC Matic has released its second annual report analyzing trends between cybersecurity and employees who are working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a follow up to research released by the firm in 2020, the 11-page report presents the results of a nationally distributed survey that attracted nearly 6,000 respondents. The findings, gathered in March, indicate that nearly one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 35% of Americans are still working from home. This, all while ransomware attacks, many of which were successfully executed by targeting remote workers, saw a near 435% increase last year.
Key findings from the report include:
Nearly half of employers continue to fall short on providing remote workers with technical assistance. In 2020, 47% of respondents indicated they were not receiving technical assistance from their employer. In 2021, this number ticked up slightly to 49% of remote workers responding that they were not receiving technical assistance from their employer.
Six of every 10 remote workers are using a personal device for work purposes. Nearly 62% of remote workers in both 2020 and 2021 indicated that their employer didn’t issue a device (computer, tablet, etc.) for work purposes, and instead required they use their personal devices.
Less than 10% of respondents were provided an antivirus software solution for the personal device they use for work purposes. In 2020, 7% of respondents who use their personal devices for work purposes responded that their employer provided them with an antivirus solution. In 2021, 9% responded in the same manner.
“Work from home is here to stay,” says Rob Cheng, CEO and founder of PC Matic. “As threat-actors continue to target remote workers, and as the number of ransomware attacks continues to surge, it is imperative that employers take these threats seriously. The time is now to educate employees of the risks and to invest in proactive solutions designed to thwart these modern-day threats.”
More findings and the complete report may be found here.
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