In an era where remote work has become the norm, corporations must confront a new and ominous reality: the surge in insider threats stemming from the challenges of the remote work landscape. In this thought-provoking blog post, we will explore the unsettling statistics and trends that emerged in 2022, which should send a shiver down the spine of any organization concerned about safeguarding its sensitive data.
The Location Barrier Shattered
The transition to remote work has shattered the traditional location barrier that once confined employees within the four walls of the office. With this newfound freedom, employees are now able to work from virtually anywhere, but at what cost? Shockingly, in 2022, a staggering 12% of employees departed their organizations with invaluable assets, including customer data, employee data, health records, and more. The question lingers: Can you be certain that your organization is immune to this emerging threat?
The Rise of Unsanctioned Side Hustles
The oversight of employee activities during office hours has dissipated in the remote work environment. As a result, employees are capitalizing on this newfound freedom to pursue side hustles while on the company clock. With their activities no longer under active supervision, instances of unsanctioned third-party work on corporate devices surged by a staggering 200% in 2022. The lines between corporate commitment and personal endeavors have blurred, making it crucial for corporations to reassess their risk exposure.
The Cloud Conundrum
Cloud-based systems have revolutionized data access, making it more convenient than ever. However, this convenience comes with a dark side. In 2022, unsanctioned application usage rose by a harrowing 55%. While employees revel in the convenience of cloud-based tools, their unsanctioned use poses a considerable risk to organizations. It's time to scrutinize this burgeoning issue.
The Exodus and Data Theft Nexus
Employee turnover during the first half of 2022 witnessed a startling 20% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. Alarmingly, this exodus coincided with a 35% surge in data theft incidents caused by departing employees. This unsettling correlation underscores the grim reality that many employees are leaving their organizations with a parting gift that was never meant to be given.
As the world of remote work continues to evolve, corporations must confront the pressing need for policy modifications and heightened vigilance regarding insider threats. These statistics from 2022 serve as a stark warning that the traditional office boundaries may be gone, but the insider threat is very much alive and thriving. Now more than ever, it is imperative that organizations take comprehensive steps to secure their data, protect their assets, and ensure that remote work doesn't translate into unseen vulnerabilities.
Source of Stats: DTEX