WFH Trends in 2021
When shocked employers discovered that COVID couldn’t be contained, employees were sent to their primitive home offices in droves, leaving a wide opening for cybercriminals set on taking advantage of the lack of network security in home office settings. Enterprises were struggling with new WFH technology, designed to give remote employees access to critical data, while being assaulted on all sides by ransomware, malware and phishing attacks, designed especially to profit off this situation.
TechRepublic recently reported on Blind, a network for professionals to post anonymously, who recently asked employees who have been working from home if they would quit their jobs if they were forced to return to a traditional office setting. One Bank of America employee (cloaked in anonymity) posted in the comments section of the survey, saying, “Working on finding a remote role. I don't want to go back to see the boomers pull in a conference room meeting and expect people to bring in pen and paper." Cringeworthy lack of respect for more experienced employees surely – but he/she’s not entirely off base.
The whole “pen and paper” work environment is quickly becoming antiquated, so it is reasonable to think that employees, having become accustomed to working from their home office (ideally successfully, or they likely would have lost their jobs already), would balk at being returned to the tightly controlled daily grind of the office?
While some might say “Yes! Please micro-manage me!,” 35% of those surveyed said they would quit their positions in favour of a remote working role. 11% said that they had already negotiated permanent WFH agreements. 54% said they would not quit their position if asked to resume working on-premises – but aside from their reasonable wish to remain employed, how do they really feel about returning to the office while their friends, peers and family have the option of working remotely?
An Amazon employee commented on the Blind survey saying, "No. I get that WFH is cool, but my wife and kids will drive me crazy if this becomes a permanent thing. I'm cool with a hybrid environment but permanent? Nevaaaa." Many of the comments from those who said they would not quit if forced to return to the office, were not praises of their managers and office bureaucracy, but a simple request for more personal space and true efficiency. Workers simply aren’t interested in navigating 10 useless, process-driven managers, to get simple tasks done. But we digress.
So how are enterprises preparing for, and dealing with the issue of WFH? Permanent or not, innovation is needed. By deploying the fastest, easiest and safest technology available, helping their employees navigate the cyber threat landscape from their home office, and some of them are actually saving money!
What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is the hosting of a desktop environment on a virtual remote server. This is an example of desktop virtualization where specific desktop images run on virtual machines, by connecting two endpoints over a secured network. These endpoints can be thin client terminals, mobile devices, tablets, desktop PCs, laptops etc.
What is Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
An SWG protects all network users from malicious files, while simultaneously applying and enforcing corporate network security policies. An SWG allows users to safely connect to a website with a filter between the user and the internet performing URL filtering, web visibility, malicious content inspection and web access controls. VDI goes beyond the functions of a basic SWG to provide extended protection and connection and the most stable access on the market.
Why Deploy Sangfor VDI for WFH Employees?
Sangfor Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is the solution of choice for many enterprises hoping to secure their remote workforce and their in-house employees. Through deeply integrated server virtualization, desktop virtualization and storage virtualization, it takes only an aDesk thin client appliance and a cloud terminal to deliver rapid deployment of cloud platform to any employee, regardless of location.
It only takes 2 Sangfor aDesk VDI components – thin-client (cloud terminal) and VDS server - to build a virtual desktop platform. This one-stop desktop cloud solution provides a smooth desktop user experience for most devices, stable, uninterrupted HA desktop services and reliable data storage, end-to-end security, and efficient deployment and O&M. Remote workers now have the stability and connection they need to continue to work effectively and productively from home – and the speed and ease of deployment is unprecedented.
Why Sangfor?
To learn more about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solutions and use-cases, or to learn more about Sangfor Technologies wide array of network security, cloud, and infrastructure WFH optimization options, visit us at www.sangfor.com or email us directly at marketing@sangfor.com.
Sangfor Technologies is an APAC-based, global leading vendor of IT infrastructure solutions specializing in Network Security and Cloud Computing. Call, email or visit our website to learn more about Sangfor’s Cloud, Security or Infrastructure solutions, and let Sangfor make your IT simpler, more secure, and valuable.
