Cyber Security Risks And Challenges In Remote Work Under The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a negative impact on corporate cybersecurity in terms of workforce habits and digital skills, awareness of cyber hygiene, and the rapid shift to remote work solutions. It has also reiterated the importance of employer-led risk management practices in line with employment habits. During the COVID-19 pandemic the remote workforce has diversified and increased in numbers, offering employees the opportunity to continue working, the availability of which is also facilitated by the national approach to improving the epidemiological situation, which mandated wider use of remote work for those whose work specifics allow it. The study analyzed the current cyber risks and challenges affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as risk management approaches or security controls. The novelty of research relates to the identification of changes in working patterns and their correlation with applied control measures for the management of cybersecurity risks. Data collection tools such as questionnaire and interviews with experts were used. Research conclusions reflect that the approach of companies and organizations to cyber risk management, providing a form of remote work organization is tailored to the industry, the nature of the information processed, the computer skills of employees, and pre-COVID-19 investments in corporate cybersecurity and digital transformation. Employers and information security managers are likely to continue to pay increased attention to limiting the risks associated with the human factor, which has become more multi-faceted during the COVID-19 pandemic, given the psychoemotional challenges of remote work experienced by a large proportion of workers.