The significance of attracting and retaining the most talented staff cannot be overstated, as the perennial skills shortage is well-known to the majority of businesses. This is particularly true in a period of intense competition and relatively high employment. The financial expense of employee turnover is at least 30% and can reach as high as 150% of the employee’s salary.
Although some organizations are investing in cutting-edge work environments or providing employees with increased flexibility, they may be neglecting a critical aspect that can significantly influence employee retention: security.
Employee retention can be influenced by a variety of factors. Engagement is the most significant of these. Nevertheless, the concept of engagement is not straightforward, and the degree of engagement that an employee experiences can be influenced by a variety of factors.
“Providing employees with the most effective tools to facilitate their job performance is one of the most critical components of employee engagement,” stated Steve Manley, regional vice president of Palo Alto Networks in Australia and New Zealand.
“In order to adhere to the evolving nature of the workforce, business processes must be consistently updated.” Manley stated that this may involve offering business systems that are similar to those used by younger employees, who are accustomed to managing their lives on digital devices and anticipate a comparable level of intuitiveness and connectivity in the workplace.
Businesses that establish a modern and frictionless technological environment may be more inclined to recruit and retain more competent employees, as well as establish themselves as a desirable workplace.
Palo Alto Networks has identified three methods by which businesses can enhance employee retention and engagement and prevent concealed costs by adopting a robust cybersecurity strategy:
1. Maximum availability
Inadequate processes or inadequate cybersecurity can result in system failures and lost work, which can be frustrating for high-performing employees. In order for employees to be fully engaged in their work and achieve maximum productivity, they must be able to trust that systems are consistently available, secure, and dependable.
“Slow performance is occasionally the sole indication that a network has been compromised.” Disillusionment can occur rapidly when employees are unable to access the information and systems they require in a timely manner or encounter delays. Manley stated that this can be prevented by strengthening the network security, which will ensure that systems continue to operate at a high speed.
2. Friction that is minimal
Employees may also experience frustration when security protocols interfere with their productivity. This frustration can result in shadow IT, which are unsanctioned remedies that can generate additional security concerns. Organizations must ensure that their business processes are streamlined and that the appropriate level of security is maintained. This will enable employees to complete their tasks without being impeded by security measures that they perceive as excessively intrusive.
“In order to avoid squandering time and resources on the wrong objectives, organizations must prioritize their security strategy.” “It is crucial to communicate with employees the rationale behind any delays when security measures are required in processes,” stated Manley. “Employees may be more inclined to accept any intrusive security measures with composure if they perceive that security measures are reasonable and that IT security teams are making reasonable efforts to promote frictionless work.”
3. Optimal procedures
Engaged employees who comprehend the necessity of robust security and have confidence in the organization’s security posture are more inclined to perceive a personal obligation to implement cybersecurity best practices, which safeguards the entire organization.
Manley stated that human error remains one of the primary causes of cyberbreaches. Consequently, organizations depend on their employees to maintain a high level of alertness and implement the appropriate security measures at all times.
“Engaged employees are more likely to comply with these best practices and contribute to the organization’s security.”
“High employee turnover and the more apparent costs of cyberbreaches can be the result for organizations that fail to address security issues,” he stated.
“However, it is feasible to establish a technology environment that fosters employee engagement and ensures security, thereby reducing turnover.”