The extent to which an organisation is protected against the rising tide of security threats will depend in large part on whether they have implemented a Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution, claims Lenovo General Manager UK Preben Fjeld.
He says the growth of mobility, BYOD, remote working and the gig economy have redefined the security challenges faced by businesses at a time when incidents of human error are also on the increase.
"The rise of a new generation of workers who have grown up using state-of-the art technologies and enjoy the flexibility in using these devices for work, where ever they are, can also contribute to the security dilemma," stated Fjeld.
He noted that humans are often considered to be the weakest link in security. According to a 2016 Freedom of Information on the causes of data breaches, 62% of incidents were a result of human error.
"Employees who ignore or don’t understand security protocols can expose enterprises to considerable security threats, financial loss and reputational damage," added Fjeld.
"Digital natives are accustomed to technologies that are more intimate in terms of personal data access. By 2025, 75% of the workforce will be Millennials and Gen Z, who are now taking their behaviours into the workspace without a clear understanding of the associated security risks. But people of all ages can be guilty of prioritising convenience over compliance."
According to Fjeld, companies need to fully understand their multi-generational workforce to better manage and protect devices, as well as develop strong security protocols and practices.
"There are four spaces where companies and end users need to focus on to protect themselves – data, identity, online and device – and it’s critically important to develop a holistic plan against threats in each of these areas," commented Fjeld.
He says DaaS will be key to addressing the security issues, particularly as they become increasingly complex and frequent due to expanding mobile workforces.
"The DaaS model is finding a receptive audience among companies looking for a new way to manage device allocation and support," he stated.
"It combines state-of-the-art devices such as mobile, PC and powerful workstations with value added expertise in an all-inclusive managed solution under a single contract."
Fjeld pointed out that DaaS protects organisations by monitoring a company's entire fleet of devices to ensure adherence to security policies at all times regarding passwords, approved apps, lifecycle management and access to data.
"Insights from these devices can be easily tapped into including fleet inventory and location and condition of devices," he added.
Fjeld cited research by Gartner undertaken last year that found that almost 30% of CIOs are considering DaaS as part of their device strategy in the next five years. Meanwhile, IDC calculates that the market for DaaS will triple in value by 2020.
"As technology advances and moves out of the traditional work environment organisations and employees will need to ensure security is front-of-mind, and DaaS may just offer the necessary solution," said Fjeld.