The spread of COVID-19 has challenged businesses – and security teams – around the world with operational scenarios that a couple of months ago seemed unthinkable.  That’s why we partnered with security leaders and industry experts on a recent webinar series to offer actionable help. The sessions tackled best practices for thriving amid pandemic-related changes, particularly those related to the rapid shift of workforces to remote models.

Earlier this week, ReliaQuest convened a group of 19 CISOs representing some of the world’s largest enterprises across a variety of industries. While there was talk of challenges, there was also talk of silver linings. In the spirit of making security possible, here are some of the positive changes the group is seeing to the long-term performance of their security programs.

“Now that we’ve enabled a secure work-from-home model, it opens new possibilities for our business.”

While companies are laser-focused on keeping their remote teams productive and secure today, they are already seeing ahead to opportunities to enable functions to live and work more flexibly – with positive impacts on overall efficiency of their operations.

“We’re more productive.”

One large manufacturer reported that its security group is saving hundreds of hours per week in commuting time alone. While team members have new needs to manage on the home front while sheltering in place, the evaporation of windshield time in all its forms means that, overall, team members are better positioned to focus on their priorities.

“We can move faster, in alignment with the business.”

Multiple security leaders mentioned that the crisis has enabled closer, faster alignment with executive peers to allow needed infrastructure and process improvements to move forward.  From better securing endpoints to helping drive sudden shifts to online-first transaction models, today’s investments will pay dividends to business priorities as companies emerge from today’s defensive postures.

“We are working more cohesively as a team.”

With water cooler chats, meetings-after-meetings, and identity based on office location rendered obsolete, teams are coming together united by the challenges at hand. Meanwhile, the use of videoconferencing allows for new social interactions, plus the ability to meet children, pets, and see where colleagues live (and what they choose to hang on their walls).

What are you seeing in your enterprise?  Share your thoughts with us by emailing [email protected].