[White Paper] Hybrid Work: New Challenges for IT Leaders
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Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, IT departments have had to face many challenges. Rolling out remote work on a large scale, securing mobile workstations, speeding up digital transformation projects: the list goes on. The shift to a hybrid way of working that mixes on-site work and remote work has changed the priorities and responsibilities of IT leaders.
81% of IT leaders saw their scope of responsibilities expand during the health crisis (Qualtrics study)
What are the main challenges facing IT leaders in the age of hybrid work? And which new solutions should they consider?
That is the subject of this new white paper, in which we have gathered the accounts of 10 IT leaders from small and mid-sized companies, public bodies and non-profit organizations. Through their experience, dozens of tips and best practices emerge for developing the information system while adapting to what employees now expect.
[This article is partly an extract from our white paper “Hybrid Work: New Challenges for IT Leaders” >>> Access the full white paper for free]
Challenge #1: Accelerating Digital Transformation
According to a study by McKinsey, the Covid crisis accelerated the digitalization of companies by around 7 years. At first sight, that figure may look enormous. Yet it reflects reality quite well, since 71% of French companies say they have accelerated their digital transformation in the face of growing demand for remote work¹.
Read also: The impact of Covid on the digitalization of companies: a summary of the McKinsey study (2020)
To best support this transformation, IT leaders must now prioritise several projects, including:
- modernizing the information system,
- investing in laptops,
- rolling out modern collaboration tools,
- the rationalisation of applications,
- automating business processes,
- and so on.
72% of IT leaders believe that legacy systems limit their ability to implement their digital projects (Couchbase survey)
Challenge #2: Securing the Workstation
According to a study by Barracuda Networks, in 2021 ransomware attacks rose by 64% compared with 2020. But those are not the only threats facing small and mid-sized companies. Phishing, denial of service attacks (DDoS), insider threats: cyberattacks can take many forms.
As the case of Lise Charmel showed, these attacks can prove fatal for a company. That is why it is essential to invest “more and better” in IT security, starting today.
60% of small and medium-sized businesses that fall victim to a cyberattack go out of business within six months (study by the National Cyber Security Alliance)
Several best practices can help you better secure your organisation's workstations and data, including:
- putting IT hygiene rules in place (backups, antivirus software, data encryption, etc.),
- securing remote access, for example through a VPN, multi-factor authentication or an identity and access management (IAM) solution,
- segmenting the network, that is, splitting it into several subnetworks,
- training employees through workshops and hands-on scenarios,
- and so on.
Challenge #3: Reinventing the Employee Experience
Contrary to what you might think, the employee experience is not an HR topic alone. The IT department has its part to play too.
95% of IT leaders report that ensuring a good experience with IT tools is a priority for their company in 2021 (Qualtrics study)
Collaboration tools are a key lever for improving the quality of the employee experience. Accessible both remotely and on site, they make it easier for teams to work and communicate, and give employees greater flexibility. The IT department therefore has to pay close attention to the choice of these tools, without forgetting to support employees so that adoption goes smoothly.
Beyond tools, investing in the work environment can be another way to optimize the employee experience. To make hybrid work easier, you can for example:
- equip your meeting rooms with video conferencing tools,
- give employees the option of using sit-stand desks,
- provide more varied workspaces (for example, collaborative areas alongside focus spaces),
- implement a room booking system,
- and so on.
Read also: [Practical Guide] 10 Best Practices for Improving the Employee Experience
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Want to find out more about the challenges IT leaders face in the age of hybrid work, and the best practices to put in place to meet them? Read the full white paper:
Download the White Paper
This article is partly an extract from our white paper “Hybrid Work: New Challenges for IT Leaders”. In it you will find: the 3 major challenges facing IT departments in the age of hybrid work; practical advice to speed up your digital transformation, secure your workstations and improve the employee experience, along with the accounts of 10 IT leaders working in companies, public bodies and non-profit organizations.
¹ Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index 2020
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Author: Emmanuelle Abensur
