Cybersecurity risks loom under the practice of 'Polyworking', a trending workstyle
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In the modern world of work, it's not uncommon for individuals to juggle multiple jobs or side gigs, a trend often referred to as polyworking. This dynamic lifestyle, particularly among Gen Z, has been on the rise, with 48% of this generation adopting this trend, according to recent reports. However, this trend comes with its own set of cybersecurity risks.
Over the last year, Kaspersky detected more than six million attacks disguised as popular work tools, with Zoom, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams being the top targets. One scam involved tricking users into downloading a supposed Zoom update from a phishing page, which was actually malware in disguise.
The constant multitasking among polyworkers increases the risk of cybersecurity breaches due to cognitive overload and potential mistakes. This complexity can provide an opportunity for cyber attackers. They can launch phishing emails, embed malware in fake calendar invites, or send malicious links via chat apps.
Over 650,000 attempts to visit phishing pages disguised as LinkedIn were observed by Kaspersky over the course of the year. Job platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn, and Behance are increasingly being used for phishing schemes disguised as legitimate job offers.
One of the major concerns is the use of the same personal laptop or smartphone for multiple jobs without adequate separation or security controls. This can lead to the mixing of sensitive data, reuse of weak passwords, and installation of unauthorized software, which opens pathways for data breaches, credential theft, and malware infections.
Gen Z workers often reuse passwords or use simple, easy-to-remember combinations, increasing the risk of credential theft. The sheer volume of digital demands on polyworkers can lead to one small lapse in cybersecurity, which can have big consequences.
To mitigate these risks, it's essential to implement strong security awareness training tailored to polyworkers, emphasizing password hygiene, phishing awareness, and data handling best practices. Using dedicated devices or virtual environments segregated for each job can prevent data cross-contamination. Employers should also enforce strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts.
Restricting the use of unauthorized software and regularly auditing installed applications and extensions is crucial. Encouraging secure storage solutions for sensitive data, ideally enterprise-approved encrypted cloud services or wallets instead of public ones, is also recommended. Employers should provide clear security policies that acknowledge the realities of polyworking and promote secure work habits.
In conclusion, the intersection of multiple simultaneous jobs, shared personal devices, and high multitasking demands among Gen Z polyworkers creates significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Proactive education, infrastructure segmentation, strong authentication, and strict software controls are essential to reduce these risks.
- In light of the growing trend of polyworking among Gen Z, businesses need to focus on recruitment strategies that prioritize project management skills, as these individuals often juggle multiple responsibilities.
- Project managers in the modern workforce should be well-versed in cybersecurity best practices, given the increased threats associated with polyworking, such as phishing attacks and malware infections.
- To ensure the safety of sensitive project data, it's crucial for companies to emphasize the use of technology solutions like secure cloud storage services, multi-factor authentication, and regular software audits, in their general-news updates and cybersecurity policies.
