UK study shows spike in cyber threats due to remote working

Recent research by Daisy Corporate Services reveals that more than two-thirds of organisations (69%) have experienced increased network security threats over the past 18 months. The survey, which gathered insights from over 250 IT decision-makers responsible for IT networks in the UK, highlights that nearly 71% of organisations view cybersecurity threats as their most significant networking challenge.

The data indicates remote and hybrid working contribute significantly to the escalating threat levels, with 85% of respondents pointing to these working models as primary factors. The study delves into various challenges stemming from network complexity, revealing how these pressures impact organisational infrastructure.

Joel Cunningham, Head of Connect at Daisy Corporate Services, remarked on the urgency for improved network security strategies. "At a time when the network perimeter is becoming increasingly virtual and a growing number of business processes and applications are online, it has never been so important to be able to maintain and manage a secure boundary between your network and the outside world. Simply hoping your remote employees will enable a VPN outside the office doesn't constitute a robust network security strategy," he stated.

The "State of Networking Report 2024" report underscores that 64% of current networks consist of varied vendor technologies, leading to increased difficulties and costs in managing these networks. The survey notes that 87% of organisations face network management issues due to this disjointed infrastructure. Consequently, simplifying network infrastructure has become a priority for 88% of respondents.

The growing use of cloud applications in the workplace is straining existing networks, with 81% of organisations reporting increased pressure. Over a third (37%) of organisations cite cloud application performance as a primary networking challenge. This strain is particularly evident in office environments featuring hot desks and large meeting rooms, which place additional burdens on WiFi networks.

Cunningham added, "Legacy networking equipment remains a huge cost centre, preventing organisations from reaching their sustainability goals and causing significant overspend across maintenance and power consumption. The traditional approaches to managing wide area networks (WANs) often fall short in addressing these complex issues. However, Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) has emerged and evolved into a transformative solution. This powerful technology not only solves the problem of optimising network performance but enhances security measures, giving organisations an edge in the ever-evolving threat landscape."

The report found that the transition to newer technologies like WiFi 6 is slow, primarily due to the associated costs. 60% of respondents indicated that the expense of device upgrades delays their move to WiFi 6, with only 21% having deployed WiFi 6 across most of their organisation. Nonetheless, staying with older technologies has sustainability implications. They account for a third (34%) of an organisation's overall IT power consumption, with 30% of IT budgets still allocated to maintaining legacy network hardware.

Despite these challenges, there is optimism about modernising network infrastructure, with 91% believing such efforts will help them meet ongoing sustainability targets. However, 59% find environmentally friendly disposal of legacy equipment challenging.