Cyberattacks to become more frequent
Cyberattacks occur every 39 seconds in the US, and the frequency is only expected to increase, according to a report by The Conference Board.
Ransomware poses a particular threat to business. Such attacks comprised 60% of malware attacks on companies in 2021, up from 45% in 2020, and affected companies’ ability to operate 90% of the time. Ransomware is expected to cost companies $265 billion globally in 2031, up from $20 billion in 2021.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just an issue for the IT department but is now a critical responsibility for CEOs, C-suites and boards in all organizations,” said Lori Esposito Murray, president of The Conference Board’s Committee for Economic Development.
The US added more than 260,000 cybersecurity jobs in 2021, a 30% increase. But as of early May 2022, there were 600,000 vacant jobs in the US sector. However, 50% of hiring managers say applicants are not well-qualified, and it takes six months to fill a new cybersecurity position.
Remote workers need more tools, training
Only 15% of companies have staff working exclusively on-site, reflecting the growing emphasis on remote and hybrid work, according to a report by Paychex Inc.
However, 45% of HR professionals believe more tools and opportunities for training are essential to support remote/hybrid workers, such as technology to support communication around goal setting, career advancement and development between employees and managers. In addition, 41% say employee training/skill building is needed, and 35% say there is need of training for managers to support employee career advancement/development.
The study also found that four in 10 HR leaders see the benefit of remote work, saying it improves employees’ emotional, physical and financial well-being, boosts retention, enhances quality of work and increases productivity.
Strategies to support remote or hybrid employees include implementing a system to plan and track scheduled manager/employee meetings to ensure consistency among remote and on-site employees, cited by 41%; using technology to optimize remote employee productivity, cited by 39%; and providing a secure method for employees to receive confidential answers to HR questions, cited by 37%.
The online survey took place from April 15 through May 6 and included 1,000 HR decision-makers at US companies with 20 or more employees.
Now hiring: Full-time jobs in metaverse
Portabl, a Belgium-based company that makes screen extensions for laptops, claims to be the first startup to hire for full-time jobs in the metaverse.
Portabl guarantees an average of 40 hours a week in the metaverse for the jobs. “The company’s ideal applicant is a natural-born commercial crypto enthusiast overflowing with creativity that loves customer contact and dreams of being a pioneer in new areas,” it said in announcing the jobs.
According to Portabl, research indicates 70% of major brands will have a presence in the metaverse over the next five years.
Remote-work burnout, Zoom fatigue still on rise
Remote-work burnout and Zoom fatigue continue to rise, according to the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy in New Jersey.
Remote-work burnout may be due to people struggling to maintain a work-life balance or changing expectations from their boss, not having required resources to complete a job, uncertainty about their remote work timeline and possibly adopting a different work schedule.
Zoom fatigue can result from maintaining much more eye contact than usual, being unable to move around during meetings, having a harder time interpreting what people mean with a lack of nonverbal cues, and seeing oneself on the screen and judging too harshly.
