Cyber Security & Hybrid Work: Are SMBs Underestimating Their Risks?

Businesses of all sizes have undergone rapid transformation since early 2020. The adoption of hybrid work models, with employees operating remotely alongside those in a physical office space, is perhaps the most visible result of this shift. This whitepaper is for small businesses that turned hybrid and want to understand its impacts on cyber security.

In January 2022, Field Effect commissioned OnePoll to conduct a survey of small and mid-size business (SMB) owners and decision-makers to gather information on their attitudes and experiences towards hybrid work environments.

The survey, titled The Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Workplace, asked 1000 respondents a series of questions on this topic, with particular focus on the state of their cyber security.

The results reveal that business owners have mixed feelings about hybrid work and how well they’re securing it. Many feel hybrid work has created new business opportunities, but some have also experienced increased cyber attacks. About one in four businesses reported they had experienced a breach, phishing attack, or scam since working from home and, of those who did, 64% believed the incidents could have been prevented if everyone were in-office.