ESG Brief: COVID-19 Readiness: The Cyber-awareness and Employee Productivity Connection

Abstract:

When employees were sent home to work due to COVID-19, cybersecurity teams had to adjust their defenses accordingly. This was especially true due to a massive increase in coronavirus-related cyber-threats. In this environment, security awareness training is especially important, but too many training programs are a mere formality, conducted purely to satisfy a corporate governance or regulatory compliance requirement. ESG research illustrates that comprehensive security training is worthwhile as organizations with thorough training programs were more responsive to COVID-19 cyber-threats and had greater employee productivity. As such, CISOs should eschew “checkbox” training and persuade HR and executives to embrace more thorough security awareness training programs with demonstrable benefits and ROI.

Topics: Cybersecurity cybersecurity education COVID-19 Tech Effect

ESG Research Report: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cybersecurity

Abstract:

As the global impact of COVID-19 manifested itself in the US in the middle of March, ESG and ISSA decided to conduct an in-depth survey in April 2020 of 364 cybersecurity and IT professionals from the global ISSA member list. The study was a point in time assessment of challenges posed by the pandemic. It is likely that challenges and solutions will continue to evolve over the next few years.

Topics: Cybersecurity COVID-19 Tech Effect Covid-19

ESG Brief: Understanding IT’s New Normal in the Wake of COVID-19

Abstract:

COVID-19 introduced the business world to a new and previously unforeseen risk factor, in-person face-to-face interactions. For knowledge workers, the result was a mass exodus out of corporate offices and into their homes, now dependent on remote work. For the IT organizations tasked with supporting their businesses and those knowledge workers, COVID-19 reaffirmed the importance of digital transformation, now as a risk mitigation tool, emphasizing the continued importance of streamlining operations, while accelerating cloud usage to shift more of the risk burden to third-party providers.

Topics: Storage Cybersecurity Data Protection Networking Converged Infrastructure Enterprise Mobility Cloud Services & Orchestration data management COVID-19 Tech Effect

ESG Research Report: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Remote Work, 2020 IT Spending, and Future Tech Strategies

Abstract:

The COVID-19 crisis is creating a new normal for IT executives and knowledge workers alike. Citywide closures, stay-at-home mandates, and social distancing measures are forcing many people to work from home to help flatten the curve of a global pandemic. For IT executives, meeting the needs of these remote workers calls for new technologies, stringent protection measures, and operational agility. Knowledge workers, on the other hand, must take advantage of collaboration platforms while minimizing distractions and overcoming technical shortcomings.

Despite these challenges and persistent health and safety concerns, COVID-19 presents a prime opportunity to redesign the workplace, rethink how work gets done, and get a head start on the future.

ESG conducted an in-depth survey of 500 North American senior IT decision makers and 1,008 corporate knowledge workers now working at home. Survey participants represented midmarket (100 to 999 employees) and enterprise-class (1,000 employees or more) organizations in North America (United States and Canada).

Topics: Enterprise Mobility IT Spending Intentions COVID-19 Tech Effect

ESG Master Survey Results: Technology Impact of COVID-19: IT Decision Maker (ITDM) View

Abstract:

ESG’s Master Survey Results provide the complete output of syndicated research surveys in graphical format. In addition to the data, these documents provide background information on the survey, including respondent profiles at an individual and organizational level. It is important to note that these documents do not contain analysis of the data.

This Master Survey Results presentation focuses on the technology impact of COVID-19 in terms of both enabling more employees to work from home and the impact on original 2020 IT budget levels, as well as expectations for how the remote work landscape may change.

Topics: Cybersecurity Networking Enterprise Mobility Cloud Services & Orchestration COVID-19 Tech Effect Covid-19

ESG Master Survey Results: COVID-19 Technology Implications for Knowledge Workers

Abstract:

ESG’s Master Survey Results provide the complete output of syndicated research surveys in graphical format. In addition to the data, these documents provide background information on the survey, including respondent profiles at an individual and organizational level. It is important to note that these documents do not contain analysis of the data.

This Master Survey Results presentation focuses on the experiences and changing work habits of corporate knowledge workers related to their current work from home (WFH) status resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Topics: Cybersecurity Networking Enterprise Mobility Cloud Services & Orchestration COVID-19 Tech Effect Covid-19