In a recent survey of 100 businesses in North America and Europe, 74% of business owners said all their employees are working remotely, according to Expert Market. "As the pandemic and work-at-home policies separate co-workers, advanced communication tools have become vital for connecting people," according to Peter Tsai, a Senior Technology Analyst at Spiceworks. Demand for web conferencing and chat apps was already growing steadily in the past few years. But the shift to remote and hybrid work setting is fueling their use in both small and large organizations.

This trend will continue in the next coming years as more businesses embrace a blended workforce setting. The 2021 State of IT report reveals that about 50% of companies plan to implement flexible work policies in the post-pandemic era. In the same report, 11% of companies are looking to invest in secure communication systems by 2022. And an additional 10% of businesses are also preparing to transition to unified communications. With business information moving outside firewalls, security will become a top consideration for companies. Here are some business communications security trends to watch out for in 2021.

Improved User Awareness

Cybercriminals are becoming savvier at crafting scams and attacks. This makes it difficult for businesses to identify potential cyber threats. That's why securing business communication systems isn't a luxury anymore. In addition to setting firewalls and strict IT protocols, companies will invest more in training programs. Many organizations fall victim to cyber-attacks because they are unaware of the schemes hackers use to breach security. Educating employees about phishing emails and how to secure business networks is an effective way to reduce cybercrime.  

Cloud Security

Flexibility, improved collaboration, and low-cost disaster recovery are some of the reasons businesses are moving to the cloud. The availability of cloud-based communication solutions, including instant messaging, VoIP services, and video conferencing, also fuels cloud migration. While security is a top driver for cloud adoption, many cloud services don't guarantee secure authentication, encryption, and audit logging. 

Failure to isolate business data from other users sharing cloud services has proven to be a significant security risk over the years. For these reasons, IT professionals are emphasizing the need to enhance security in the cloud. As a business owner, it is necessary to consider the security measures your cloud service provider has in place. When comparing different cloud-based business communications solutions, don't look at price only. Make sure your service provider offers fraud protection and treats cyber threats as emergencies. The lack of security in cloud databases creates room for cybercriminals to violate internal business policies that protect sensitive data. 

Gap In IoT Security

The Internet of Things is one of the most beneficial technologies for both businesses and consumers. IoT boosts productivity and innovation across different industries, thanks to data from sensors. At the consumer level, IoT devices make life easier and smarter. However, IoT has its set of challenges. For instance, insecure IoT architecture and visibility increase the risk of cyber threats. Hackers can use one compromised node to hack corporate networks. In 2021, the 5G network will make IoT devices more lucrative. So, expect more hardcoded passwords, non-encrypted personal information, and software or app updates from unverified websites. There will also be many security issues linked to wireless networks and communication in all IoT-enabled gadgets used in homes, businesses, and public places. 

With many companies embracing remote working, the demand for business communication technologies will increase at a rapid rate. While technology promotes valuable interactions between internal and external stakeholders, businesses must keep up with security trends to prevent cyberattacks. Some of the cybersecurity trends for 2021 are AI integration, increasing IT expert skill gap, 5G network implementation, cloud security, and IoT vulnerability.

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