A modern-day challenge for organisations
The COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out worldwide in 2020, had in many ways a lasting impact on how companies collaborate. Lockdowns meant that work processes suddenly had to be carried out completely remotely. Employees who didn’t have to be physically on site were obliged to work from home. Organisations around the world were faced with the technical challenge of making this happen. As a result, a completely new type of collaboration or modern workplace emerged.
It became clear that cloud solutions were the best way to tackle these challenges, mainly due to their scalability and accessibility. The transformation of the modern workplace thus also involves moving to the cloud. While the biggest issue was collaboration and business continuity became the priority, important aspects such as governance, compliance, operations and security initially took a back seat. We place a clear focus on data security in our solutions. In a world of ever-expanding networking, increasing importance is attached to data confidentiality and controlled access to resources.
Three types of organisations
Even though the pandemic led to a surge in digitalisation and forced move to the cloud, companies are at different stages of the process. Based on the five phases of Everett Rogers’ diffusion theory, we identify the following three types of organisations in particular:
Cloud-driven workplace transformation: managing complexity
With the cloud and the modern workplace transformation, system complexity is of course also increasing. IT operations must now integrate legacy applications and modern cloud solutions for employees on a single platform. This requires, for example, adapted IT structures, clear (shared) responsibilities and revised governance. There also needs to be a rethink on the topic of information security, especially in the context of Zero Trust.
Companies are often faced with higher costs as a result, because they have to finance their old systems as well as new cloud services. Smart data management and the targeted decommissioning of legacy systems can help to reduce costs in the short to medium term.
On what stage is your company at in terms of cloud digitalisation and the modern workplace?
According to the diffusion theory, do you see yourself as an early adopter, a late majority or a laggard?
Key topics to a secure modern workplace
Our range of services includes suitable and supportive elements to enable our customers to establish a successful and secure modern workplace. Our experienced experts cover the strategic, conceptual and technical requirements to make sure that your needs are met.
The increasing use of cloud services, mobile devices and virtual working environments is placing new demands on security in order to protect sensitive data and ensure secure communication and access to resources. This is why security is a top priority for us. Importantly, you need a strong partner at your side who has a broad network and can work with you to develop solutions to meet these challenges.
Drawing on our experience over the past few years, our Cloud Security and Modern Workplace team has identified the following core topics:
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Why PwC?
Our Cloud Security team is composed of competent experts who inject their cross-industry experience directly into their daily work. We’ve successfully supported global customers on their journey to the cloud with the innovative modern workplace.
Last year, our work was also recognised by Microsoft who selected us as ‘Swiss Partner of the Year 2023’ in the Security category.
Our focus goes beyond purely technical aspects, as we benefit from our unique network to cover cross-sectional areas in a professional and scalable manner. In this respect, we’re very familiar with the challenges faced by all types of organisations.
We recognise that ‘early adopters’ have different requirements to the ‘late majority’ or ‘laggards’. This knowledge enables us to identify critical situations at an early stage and promptly take the right steps to successfully pursue your cloud journey – comprehensively, efficiently and securely.
