For many organizations, the past several years have been defined by an unending pursuit of data privacy and cybersecurity. Prompted by a daunting threat landscape, new regulatory standards and increasingly onerous consequences, companies invested millions in securing their digital infrastructure as an all-in attempt to meet the moment.

Even before the Coronavirus pandemic turned millions of people into newly-minted remote workers, companies were already acknowledging a rapid shift toward decentralized workspaces. Not only are workers increasingly prioritizing flexibility, making remote work a selling point to attract top talent, but embracing decentralized teams broadens access to a global cadre of candidates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the already-robust adoption rates for employee monitoring software. Prominent publications, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, have reported on this trend, and they have documented employees’ general unease about the practice. Indeed, even before employees were relegated to their homes, many were uncomfortable with the idea of invasive and unbridled digital oversight.

Many companies are very skeptical about remote work – most do not understand how to control employees at a distance and at the same time maintain a productive working rhythm. In 2009, IBM devised a policy to allow 40 percent of its employees worldwide to work remotely. But in 2017, as the company’s revenue start slumping, the management pulled back its decades-old remote work policy. IBM said that the marginalized feel makes remote employees less loyal.

In 2020, agility is making a comeback. After running its course as a business buzzword, it has become an operational necessity for companies in every sector due to the novel coronavirus pandemic’s repercussions. Most prominently, this reality manifests in our workplace arrangements, as companies grapple with the efficacy and necessity of returning to work during a pandemic.

There was nothing in particular that should have drawn attention to the two individuals sitting for drinks at the bar in Reno. Just two old colleagues catching up over some drinks. But if someone had paid close enough attention (and perhaps spoke Russian), then they might have overheard that one of the pair was attempting to recruit the other into what was possibly one of the biggest ransomware operations to date.

2020 is a uniquely transformative year. Prompted by a global pandemic, we’ve been forced to change many things about how we live, work and relate. For most businesses, this means a rapid and comprehensive shift toward remote work. While more than half of all employees participated in a rapid transition to remote work, it’s clear that this is more than just a temporary change.