The Remote Work Movements in Australia and Canada: Benefits, Challenges and Cybersecurity Responses

COVID-19, an unprecedented event, pushed many employers and employees to move to a remote or hybrid working environment. Now, almost four years after the beginning of this pandemic, the work environment landscape has been drastically reshaped, and many employees are still enjoying the advantages of virtual work, whether it be partially or completely remote. According to Stanford University hybrid-work expert Professor Nicholas Bloom, 37% of Australian workers now work from home regularly, which suggests new norms around flexible arrangements, while approximately 20% of Canadians work most of their hours from home each week. Furthermore, Professor Bloom forecasts a steady shift towards even more remote work arrangements than the workforce has ever seen before over the next five years. However, with more people working remotely than ever before, the quality of work remains a concern for employers, and they have started to take notice of the pros and cons of different work arrangements. This article examines the benefits and challenges of virtual workplaces and highlights the cybersecurity responses of companies and leaders in Australia and Canada to provide insights into the evolving business practices of both nations.