Despite corporate initiatives pushing a return to the office, nontraditional setups remain widespread. Owl Labs’ State of Work survey indicates that nearly 40% of U.S. employees now work remotely or in hybrid roles. In an Arkansas Business commentary, Chris Wright, partner and co-founder, explores the consequences of work-from-home arrangements on cybersecurity.

Chris highlights that flexibility is a proven tool for attracting and retaining talent, especially when structured with clear protocols to maintain productivity and profitability. However, he emphasizes a crucial caveat: mobile workforces can introduce significant cybersecurity risks. While smartphones are relatively secure due to modern operating systems, laptops and desktops require careful oversight. Allowing employees to use personal computers without management could expose corporate networks to cyberattacks.

He shares key recommendations, including:

• Using company-provided devices to ensure hardware is modern, updated and equipped with monitoring tools.
• Implementing management and monitoring software to maintain security and apply necessary updates.
• Offering approved device procurement portals to give employees flexibility while maintaining oversight and compliance.
• Following established cybersecurity frameworks, such as the National Institute of Standards & Technology Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.

Chris acknowledges the appeal of cost savings when permitting employees to use personal devices for work, especially for small businesses. However, the short-term savings don’t outweigh the potential long-term consequences of breaches or attacks. Investing in commercial-grade hardware, cloud-based services and professional management ensures operational stability.

Proper device management is essential to maintain both employee freedom and organizational security in today’s increasingly mobile workforce.

Read Chris’s full commentary.