In recent months we have been able to see how teleworking has become a daily reality for thousands of workers in Spain and around the world. We are also witnessing an almost urgent demand for digitization from companies due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Whether they are small, medium, or large companies, the reality is that digital transformation has added integers on the scale of top priorities in all sectors. There will possibly be a dozen different studies (or more) showing, with some differences in the percentages depending on the sample, how the vast majority of companies have accelerated their digitization plans in the wake of COVID-19.
The differences between the largest companies, at one extreme, and the self-employed, at the other, are noticeable as well. According to the results of a recent survey of IT leaders conducted, we found this diverse and very interesting data to understand the current business reality:
- 73% of companies with more than 500 employees accelerated their digitization plans to support telecommuting due to the pandemic.
- 81% accelerated their IT modernization processes due to the pandemic.
- 32% of companies with more than 500 employees are implementing more automation using tools based on artificial intelligence.
Another very relevant and revealing data, at the same time, is that 48% of all companies (we are talking about the US) have accelerated the digital transformation to, among other things, make teleworking possible, with that 73% of the big companies we have already mentioned.
If we look at what happens when we talk about a one-person company, we will see that teleworking has not promoted digitization because, surely, it was already implemented or is not viable, nor does it contribute anything (as happens in the case of many freelancers, for example).
Cybersecurity, A Vital Priority For Companies
With all these changes and transformations, risks, and threats multiply, especially in cases of teleworking. End devices are vulnerable, and so are less prepared users, so increased resources, tools, and training are needed to confidently face the challenges that will come.
Specifically, 51% of surveyed companies with 500 or more employees make remote and secure access to their highest internal priority. On the other hand, 27% of IT leaders in all organizations say that providing secure, granular access to IT management teams, outsourced IT, and third-party vendors is a top priority.
The larger the business, the more important secure remote access becomes. The survey also reveals that organizations with between 250 and 500 employees are the most likely to purchase specific cybersecurity tools and applications, or to contract for cybersecurity services, to meet compliance requirements.
Also Read: Cybersecurity Threats: Where Do They Come From And What Are The Challenges We Face?