The Risks of Working in a Hybrid Environment

There are many benefits to working in a hybrid environment, but risks also need to be considered. Data security is one of the biggest dangers of working in a hybrid environment. Confidential information stored in both on-site and off-site locations can be vulnerable to theft or accidental destruction. It would be best if you had a solid data destruction plan to minimize these risks. This blog post will discuss the dangers of working in a hybrid setting and how you can protect your work environment.

What Is a Hybrid Workplace?

Hybrid workplaces are becoming more and more popular. According to a recent Microsoft research, more than 80% of chief information security officers are employed by companies that are experimenting with or already have a hybrid work environment. Nowadays, workers are actively looking for jobs that provide hybrid arrangements. And if their business hasn’t implemented a flexible work style, which has recently been dubbed the great resignation, nearly half of employees seek other positions.

Benefits Of Hybrid Workplace

The hybrid workplace has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more businesses seek to reap the benefits of both on-site and remote work. On-site work offers the advantage of face-to-face interaction, which can help to build strong working relationships and foster a sense of teamwork. It can also be more conducive to creative thinking, providing a more significant opportunity for informal collaboration. Remote work, on the other hand, offers the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world and can be an excellent option for those with family or other commitments that make it challenging to come into an office regularly. The hybrid model seeks to combine the best of both worlds, offering employees the chance to experience both on-site and remote work. This can help boost morale and productivity while also allowing businesses to attract top talent from around the globe.

Risks Of Hybrid Environment

In a hybrid workplace, employees have the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely. While this arrangement has many benefits, it also comes with some risks. One of the most significant risks is the increased exposure to data breaches. When sensitive documents are left on site, there is a greater risk of being compromised. Additionally, remote employees may not access the same on-site shredding services available to on-site workers. Sensitive documents may be stored in insecure locations or thrown away. As a result, it is essential for businesses to carefully consider the risks of hybrid workplaces before implementing this type of arrangement.

3 Strategies To Lower Risk

1. Consistently remind people about data security policies: Employees transporting paper documents, cell phones, tablets, and computers back and forth between sites increase the possibility of data theft, putting businesses in danger. Talk to employees about their information security obligations and how they might assist with preserving sensitive information as you adjust hybrid arrangements. Some items to mention are:
   • Keep passwords confidential, change them regularly, and use complex passwords.
   • What to do if an employee receives a strange email or text and how to identify phishing
   • The value of keeping a clean desk both at work and at home to prevent information loss and theft
   • Teach the importance of document destruction and disposal of unnecessary paper – especially documents that contain confidential information.
2. Promote secure document shredding: Although many companies are moving to paperless, plenty of paper remains in the workplace. It is important that employees know what to do with old documents when they no longer need them, regardless of whether they work from home or in the office. There is no safer way to destroy documents than by shredding them professionally. Businesses can ensure records are destroyed safely and adequately by scheduling shredding events throughout the year with professional shredding companies, such as Abraham’s on-site shredding. To keep paper waste under control on a long-term basis, you can set up recurring pickups.
3. Hard Drive Destruction: Hard drive destruction is the physical process of destroying a hard drive so that the data it contains can never be accessed or recovered. This is important for individuals and businesses because it ensures that sensitive information cannot be compromised. This makes it impossible for anyone to access the data on the drive, even if they have sophisticated recovery software. Hard-drive destruction is the only surefire way to protect your data, and it’s something everyone should consider if they want to keep their information safe.

By taking these steps, organizations can minimize the risks associated with working in a hybrid environment. Remember that a hybrid workplace requires additional planning and coordination. But if you take the time to set it up correctly and securely, you’ll reap the benefits of having a more flexible and productive workforce.

At Abraham’s On-Site Shredding Services, we offer on-site shredding services that can help you protect your work environment. We also offer document destruction services that can provide quality on-site document destruction services for all of your needs. Contact us or Call (262) 877-8878 today to learn more.