We are in the midst of a rapidly evolving crisis that impacts the entire world. In the majority of countries around the world, the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has prompted drastic measures. To protect public health, governments are declaring a state of emergency and enacting tight measures such as social separation, quarantine, and limited travel.
As preventative measures are implemented, organizations are confronted with a situation they have never seen before: large-scale mandatory remote work. With millions of individuals compelled to work from home around the country, we’ve become increasingly reliant on computing technology and online services to keep things operating smoothly.
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Information Age enabled people to communicate, collaborate, coordinate projects, and share vital information (in real time) with those who needed it. While corporations rely on developments in computer science and technology to stay afloat, the issue of appropriately managing technological changes and securing data appears to be a developing concern.
In a normal situation, systems and networks adhere to specified protocols and security procedures to ensure that data is safeguarded and accessible only to the appropriate individuals. With remote workers, this is not the case. Because individuals are dispersed across the globe, they must rely on the networks and digital tools at their disposal. We’ll look at the importance of information technology in data management and cybersecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a constant workflow and secure data, especially with cloud computing.
Managing Data During a Crisis
Data management is the process of gathering, storing, organizing, maintaining, and utilizing data. The purpose of data management is to assist companies and their stakeholders in making crucial decisions and taking actions that will benefit the firm with the data that is collected and created. As a result, data management is essential for any company that wants to keep on top of business processes during a crisis. To build an effective plan of action, business continuity plans will require current data. During a pandemic, IT provides the networks, systems, and tools that businesses may employ to successfully acquire, measure, share, and use data.
Digital Data Management’s Advantages
When individuals work from home, properly utilizing information and communication technology can assist improve your data management system. During a crisis, properly arranging and exploiting data can benefit the organization in a variety of ways:
Improved Organization and Consistency — As more employees work remotely from different places, it becomes more challenging to collaborate on projects. Even if virtual communication is possible, valuable information may not reach the intended recipients. Employees and managers will be able to monitor, track, and use critical data whenever they need it if they have a data management plan in place. This also ensures that staff work at a consistent speed without experiencing bottlenecks.
Increased Productivity – Changing business models to establish a data management system and structure will have a favorable impact on the workflow of the firm. Tasks will be able to be tracked. As a result, staff will remain motivated and on pace to fulfil their assignments.
Collaboration and communication are improved – A data management plan gives you a better understanding of your company’s initiatives, operations, and efficiency. This gives managers and staff access to critical information, timeframes, and task progress reports. These tasks become more effective and productive with such valuable information, communication, and teamwork.
Making Quicker and More Informed Decisions – Shot callers will have precise information while making business decisions because to improved communication, organization, and productivity. As a result, they will be in a better position to make decisions that will benefit the company.
The Risks of Bad Data Management
During a moment like this, ignoring the necessity of data management technologies can put your company at danger of:
Conflicting Data – One of the most serious consequences of improper data management is the impact on information. Confusion, turmoil, and ambiguity can emerge from poorly managed data. Different individuals or departments may conduct business using different data, resulting in contradicting facts. This explains why, in order to ensure computing and information correctness, many firms are turning to automation, which is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Productivity declines – Productivity will undoubtedly suffer if people become less organized. Projects are pushed back, and work begins to pile up. Businesses may suffer as a result of this.
Opportunities squandered – Leaders will be unable to take advantage of possible possibilities due to poor productivity and a lack of information. Worse, they may devote their resources, time, and energy to achieving objectives based on inaccurate information.
Because personnel are dispersed and work from various places, information must be organized and safeguarded. To achieve efficient data processing, you must have a robust data management strategy and system in place. After all, since data influences business decisions, it’s critical that all data be collected, created, and distributed according to a complicated system that assures that any quantity of data collected is correct, consistent, and safe from beginning to end. Remote work, on the other hand, raises the issue of security.
Keeping Safe During a Crisis
From a cybersecurity standpoint, the change to working from home poses a number of issues. As more people work from home, the question of whether they are effectively equipped to protect their computer system, mobile devices, and sensitive company data from cybersecurity threats arises. IT teams are common in businesses, and they manage and build a secure network that provides proper data protection for all employees.
The incidence of cyber-attacks has increased as more people work from home and use the internet connection that remote employees have. Cybercriminals are attempting to take advantage of the situation by targeting people who work from home and use personal computers to access networks. During the epidemic, various forms of attacks have increased. The following are some significant hazards that employees should be aware of:
Malware
Malware is undesirable software that is installed on computers without the user’s permission or knowledge. It can then attach itself to legal code and replicate once installed. This might lead to data corruption and poor performance. Malware tries to fool individuals into opening files or clicking links that will allow it to get access to the system and install malicious software. Once malware has infiltrated a system, it can cause havoc, take control of your device, spy on your activities, and steal personal information from devices and networks. The following are two types of malware that remote employees should be aware of:
Ransomware is one of the most serious threats during the COVID-19 outbreak. This form of malware attempts to encrypt data and render it unusable until a ransom is paid. Attackers frequently demand payment in bitcoin, making it harder to track and retrieve funds.
Cybercriminals are targeting businesses and organizations with personnel who work in remote locations.
Spyware is another hazard that businesses should be aware of during the pandemic. This sort of malware is designed to infect devices in order to track and sell data, collect bank or credit card information, and steal personal data. This is accomplished through monitoring behavior, recording logins and passwords, and snooping on sensitive data. Employees and corporations are at higher danger with so many possible security gaps in remote teams.
Phishing
Phishing is another sort of attack that has been on the rise. This is the act of sending phoney emails that look to come from legitimate sources. The purpose of these assaults is to trick people into clicking on malicious links or files. Email or social media can be used to do this. Phishing attempts have taken many forms during the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19-related information – This could be information indicating that you or someone you know is ill. It could potentially take the shape of a treatment or crucial information about the pathogen.
Stimulus checks — They can also appear as stimulus checks in addition to COVID-19 phishing efforts. Attackers are aware that many people are in need of financial assistance. They try to gain access by posing as real people and sending bogus emails.
People posing as members of a team – If hackers are able to obtain information about a company, they can utilise it to pose as team members in order to acquire access to private networks and sensitive information.
Preventative Actions
With the possibility of greater cyber attacks, it’s critical that businesses take advantage of IT and cybersecurity education to safeguard themselves in these trying times. It is critical that we take preventive precautions in order to access online resources safely. Working with licenced and experienced IT specialists who understand how to build up secure networks is part of this. Furthermore, it is critical to assess the level of security on employee networks and the security measures they utilise when connecting to the internet.
What This Proves
These threats demonstrate that the digital age has endowed us with a virtual environment that offers both benefits and risks to our digital health. While information science provides excellent frameworks and assistance for remote workers to stay productive during the coronavirus epidemic, large-scale changes in how we conduct business might have major unintended data and security ramifications.