Using unenrolled devices for hybrid work creates a cybersecurity risk: survey

With the hybrid model enabling employees to work remotely and ensuring business continuity for businesses, employee use of unregistered devices to access work platforms poses new security challenges for businesses in India, according to a new survey by Cisco.

The scenario gets even more complicated as employees from multiple networks log into their homes, local cafes, and even supermarkets at work.

According to the latest Cisco survey, nine out of ten (90 percent) respondents in India say their employees use unregistered Devices log into work platforms.

“About 82 percent say their employees spend more than 10 percent of the day working on these unenrolled devices,” it said.

This risk associated with such a practice is recognized by leading security experts. 95 percent of respondents in India said remote login for hybrid work has increased the likelihood of cybersecurity incidents occurring.

About 94 percent of respondents in India say their employees use at least two networks to log in at work, and 57 percent say their employees use more than five networks for the same.

The report, titled “My Location, My Device: Hybrid work’s new cybersecurity challenge,” surveyed 6,700 security professionals from 27 countries.

It highlights the concerns of security professionals regarding the use of unenrolled devices and potentially unsecured networks to access work platforms and the risks associated with such behavior.

Samir Kumar Mishra, Director of Security Sales, Cisco India and SAARC, noted that disruption is happening faster than ever today.

“Security resilience, preparedness and response must be at the forefront to navigate the intensifying threat landscape in 2023,” he added.

According to the report, 90 percent of security leaders in India said so Internet security Incidents are likely to disrupt their businesses over the next 12 to 24 months.

“The positive side is that they are preparing to protect themselves against internal and external threats,” the study added.

Given the known challenges, 95 percent of security leaders in India expect their organization to increase their cybersecurity budget by more than 10 percent over the next year, and almost all expect IT infrastructure upgrades within the next 24 months, according to the study.