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Cyber security and data protection when hybrid working

Understand how to manage cyber security and data protection impacts during the pandemic and beyond.

31 Oct 2021, 3 min read

Introduction 

For many organisations, remote working has become the new normal during the pandemic, with home and hybrid working set to continue in the coming months. Digital technologies offer businesses huge benefits in these unprecedented times – but the increased scale of remote technology working has also raised new cyber security and data protection questions and risks. It can also be daunting for employees who haven’t worked from home before.

What’s the latest information and insight? 

It’s common for criminals to take advantage of emergencies – and coronavirus is no exception. Evidence has emerged that criminals are trying to prey on people’s fears about COVID-19 to steal money and sensitive data. This has led to around 15m people in the UK experiencing cybercrime in the last 12 months with a cumulative 64m hours spent dealing with the fallout.

With stretched resources and staff who might be more stressed than usual or newer to remote working, ensuring good cyber resilience and data protection standards can be challenging. But action must be taken: the average cost of a breach was £8,460 in 2020, and the real price to pay could be much higher due to longer-term consequences like reputational damage.

How should your business respond?

Managing the cyber risks introduced by homeworking at scale

Maintaining good cyber and data protection practices are vital, both on the technical side and when it comes to engaging employees to prevent attacks.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a world-class advisory body, with free resources for firms and employees.


For employers:


Start with the basics

Introduce a cyber strategy. If you are attacked, what’s the most important thing to protect? How will you respond? Who is responsible for each action in your response plan? The NCSC’s 10 steps to cyber security and board toolkit are good places to begin

Adapt your policies for home working

Even if you already have strong cyber security policies and protocols in place, think about how they might have to adapt if you’ve introduced or scaled up home working.

The NCSC’s home working guidance recommends steps you can take.

Protect your business from phishing

Phishing is the most common type of cyber attack. Phishing typically entails sending an email that directs victims to a site which steals their information. It can also extend to ‘spear phishing’ – more targeted to specific individuals – and ‘whaling’ – directed at high-profile targets like senior executives. It’s impossible for users to spot every phish – but there are simple steps your business can take to protect your people and business. The NCSC has multi-layered strategy guidance on phishing.

SMEs should take action too

Although cyber security can feel like a daunting challenge for smaller firms, with over 6 in 10 SMEs reporting a cyber breach, introducing and maintaining good cyber practices is vital. The NCSC’s small business guidance contains advice for SMEs.



For employees:


Refresh your knowledge

To boost your confidence or simply refresh your knowledge, try the NCSC’s free, 30-minute e-learning training packing, ‘Stay Safe Online: Top Tips for Staff’.

Think before you click

Phishing can be difficult to spot. Read the NCSC’s advice on phishing, with information on what to look out for and what to do if you’ve already clicked.


Protecting your data

Data is at the heart of the fight against the spread of COVID-19, helping scientists and officials to conduct the analysis and make the decisions that keep us safer. But businesses have also had questions about data protection during the pandemic – for example, where they want to carry out workplace testing.

The UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has established a data protection and coronavirus information hub during these unprecedented times, to support companies including health and social care organisations on a range of issues. This includes information about data protection related to working from home, testing and vaccines, and COVID-status certification.

If the FAQ page doesn’t answer your questions, call the ICO hotline on 0303 123 1113.

Frequently asked questions


What are the most important things to think about when improving our cyber security as we scale up home working?

Many businesses are taking positive steps to improve their cyber security, but just 31% have a plan for dealing with a cyber attack. Start with the basics – what do you want to protect? – and build your strategy up from there.

What kinds of attacks should we be looking out for?

Phishing attacks are the most common, and businesses have seen a rise in those related to the coronavirus: for example, claiming to have a cure for the virus or impersonating authorities like the NHS, WHO or HMRC.

What if our data protection practices don’t meet our usual standards or our response to information rights requests take longer during the pandemic?

The ICO has made clear that it won’t penalise organisations for prioritising other areas or adapting their approach due to limited resources during the pandemic.


Further resources 


CBI resources:

Regulator resources:

CBI members are also offering cyber services and resources:

  • Cisco has free remote working tools. UK&I Director of Cyber Security Mark Weir joined the webinar and shared some of his top tips for businesses looking to improve their cyber security, including: start with the basics – plan a cyber strategy; think about physical security (for example, if you’re using your laptop on a patio); keep up to date with the latest patches to fix security vulnerabilities
  • ELEMENTARYb is launching to help medium-sized businesses manage their financial and risk needs and are offering cyber advice to help protect businesses in need of support resulting from COVID 19. If you have any queries please email [email protected] with the details of your issue, full company and contact information, and the nature of the ask
  • KYND uses an organisation’s website address to instantly identify any critical cyber risks they may be facing. It is offering this service for free to small businesses or charities affected by COVID-19 who don’t have cyber insurance to protect them
  • Microsoft UK have launched their 'Supporting Resilient Operations' report and hub, which houses 10 solutions to help businesses adapt as quickly and effectively as possible. It contains advice and content with themes ranging from remote working and remote learning to intelligent security, digital inclusion and technical support
  • Sophos are offering a number of free services, including Sophos Intercept X for mobile (an app to protect phones and iPads) and Sophos Home, free security software for Macs and PCs
  • UK Finance’s Take Five campaign offers simple, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based, and online fraud – including a simple checklist to help spot fraud and avoid scams.