Zero Trust Security has become an important concept in dealing with cybersecurity challenges in the era of hybrid work. As we know, since the pandemic, hybrid work has been adopted by many organizations around the world. The presence of the hybrid working model has also brought fundamental changes in the way organizations organize and perform their daily tasks quickly and flexibly, anywhere, anytime.
However, there are some drawbacks to this working model. For example, collaborating and securing data can become challenging when teams work from different locations. Amidst the increasing complexity of cyber threats and sophisticated attacks, Zero Trust Security has emerged as an effective approach to securing hybrid work environments.
In this article, CDT will explore the benefits and disadvantages of hybrid working and how Zero Trust Security can be the best solution for maintaining security when working in a hybrid environment.
What is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid work is a working model in which employees have the flexibility to work from two or more different locations, such as from the office and from their home. In this model, employees have the ability to manage their work schedule between working in the office and working remotely.
In a hybrid work environment, employees are typically expected to be present in the office for a certain number of days per week and to work from another location, such as home, on the remaining days. The type of work arrangement typically depends on company policy and individual preferences.
In addition, the development of the hybrid work model is inextricably linked to the use of technology such as video conferencing, online collaboration tools and data access via the Internet to make collaboration more effective. However, behind the various benefits, hybrid working also has a number of drawbacks. What are the pros and cons? Read the following review.
Pros and Cons of Hybrid Working
Although hybrid working is widely used, its implementation is not always smooth for every company. Before deciding to adopt this model, it is important to understand its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a detailed explanation.
Pros of Hybrid Working
- Work Flexibility
Gives employees the flexibility to organize their work schedule according to their personal needs and preferences. They can work in the office on some days and remotely on others, allowing them to maintain work-life balance and increase productivity.
- Potential Cost Savings
Organizations can reduce operational costs such as transportation, lunch, and office-related expenses. This can benefit the company in the long run.
- Enhanced Team Deployment
Companies can recruit employees from different geographical areas without restricting them to working in one office. This opens opportunities to create a more diverse team and leverage expertise from different locations.
Cons of Hybrid Working
- Data Security Risks
Employees working from outside the office may be using unsecured networks or devices that are vulnerable to attack, increasing the risk of data leakage or cyberattack.
- Lack of Physical Control
Companies do not have full control over the devices and infrastructure used by employees. This can lead to the risk of loss or theft of devices containing sensitive corporate data.
- Risk of data loss
Employees remotely working from the office may not have a strong backup infrastructure or good habits for protecting corporate data. Important data can be lost if a device is lost or damaged.
- Increased Phishing Attacks
Employees working remotely are more vulnerable to phishing attacks because they do not have the same layers of security as an office environment.
To address the data and network security risks of implementing hybrid work, companies can no longer rely on traditional solutions that are still manual and difficult to monitor. Instead, they must implement advanced security solutions such as Zscaler for Users, which provides advanced protection with end-to-end encryption, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and real-time security analytics.
Securing Your Enterprise Data in Hybrid Work Environments with Zscaler for Users
Zscaler for Users is one of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange solutions designed to secure and protect corporate data when implementing hybrid work. Using a cloud-based approach, Zscaler for Users can monitor and protect employee Internet traffic from multiple locations, ensuring that sensitive business data remains secure.
Zscaler for Users also offers advanced security approaches to protect corporate access and data in hybrid work environments such as Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), and Zscaler Developer eXperience (ZDX). Here’s a detailed explanation.
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA)
Provides users with fast, secure and reliable access to the Internet and SaaS applications. It works by inspecting all traffic for threats or malware and enforcing security policies.
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
Provides users with secure access to private applications, such as those hosted in the cloud or on-premises. It works by creating secure tunnels between employee devices and applications and enforcing security policies.
Zscaler Developer eXperience (ZDX)
Provides organizations with insight into the digital experience of their employees. It works by collecting data on employee activity such as latency, bandwidth, and failure. The data can be used to identify and resolve issues that affect the employee experience.
All of the products above are powered by Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, a global cloud-based infrastructure that provides security and networking services to Zscaler customers.
6 Zscaler for Users Use Cases
In a hybrid work environment, Zscaler is a critical solution for safeguarding corporate data. Here are some usage examples.
1. Network and Access Security
Provides secure and encrypted access to corporate data and applications for remote workers. Zscaler technology ensures that employees’ network connections are protected from threats and malware as they connect to corporate resources over the public Internet network.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Supports the implementation of 2FA, which requires employees to verify their identity more than once before accessing sensitive data or business applications. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and enables a higher level of security.
3. Threat Prevention and Real-time Security Analysis
Provided with an advanced threat prevention system and real-time security analytics. This enables rapid detection of suspicious activity or malware and immediate action to remediate threats before they cause damage to corporate data.
4. Control Application and Internet Usage
Enterprises can enforce strict Internet and application usage policies, limiting access to high-risk or non-work-related sites. In addition, organizations can control access to specific applications based on user needs and access rights.
5. End-to-End Encryption
Zscaler for Users uses strong end-to-end encryption during data transfer between employee devices and corporate resources. This ensures that data remains protected and inaccessible to unauthorized parties during transmission.
6. Security Monitoring and Reporting
Provides comprehensive security monitoring and reporting capabilities. This allows the security team to track and identify potential threats and analyze possible attack patterns.
In conclusion, by deploying Zscaler for Users, organizations can ensure that sensitive data and information remains secure when implementing hybrid work. In addition, employees can work calmly and efficiently without worrying about the potential security risks of corporate data.
Baca Juga: Apa itu Zero Trust Security dan Manfaatnya Bagi Keamanan Bisnis Anda?
Implement the Zscaler for User Solution Only at CDT
as authorized partner Zscaler, Central Data Technology (CDT) will help you to choose a solution that fits your organization’s hybrid work pattern, namely Zscaler for User.
CDT will help you avoid trial and error, from consulting, to deployment, to maintenance, to after-sales support. Supported by a team of experienced and certified IT professionals, CDT will guide you through the entire Zscaler solution deployment process to ensure that all business data and networks are protected anywhere, anytime. Interested in Zscaler for Users solution? Contact us using this link.
Author: Ary Adianto
Translation: Wilsa Azmalia Putri
Content Writer of CTI Group
