The cybersecurity industry has never looked quite like it does today. After years of remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, many companies are now pushing for employees to return to the office. In Episode #28 of the Cybersecurity Growth Show, hosts Shawn Valle and Garrett Gross unpacked this shift — exploring its impact on executives, CISOs, and employees, and asking a provocative question: what if COVID had never happened?
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🎧 Or listen to the audio here:
The Executive Perspective: Balancing Culture and Risk
For many executives, RTO isn’t just about filling empty office space. It’s about culture, collaboration, and operational strategy. Business leaders are navigating how to rebuild team connection without sacrificing the flexibility employees have grown accustomed to.
- 85% of business leaders surveyed believe hybrid work is here to stay, but many still have concerns about security with a distributed workforce.
- 67% of organizations are increasing investments in cybersecurity tools to support hybrid work.
- Real estate and office utilization remain far below pre-pandemic levels, hovering between 40–60%.
Executives are asking:
“Can we rebuild office culture without compromising our security posture—or alienating top talent?”
The CISO’s Perspective: Security Architecture Meets Workforce Reality
For security leaders, RTO means redesigning controls and policies that were optimized for hybrid and remote work.
- 60% of organizations report difficulty retaining cybersecurity talent who prefer flexible work arrangements.
- RTO can require updates to network segmentation, endpoint security, and incident response playbooks.
- Compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, GDPR) often require adjustments as employees shift back to on-prem networks.
CISOs must walk a tightrope between enabling leadership strategy and protecting the organization. That includes communicating risks clearly, addressing skill gaps, and ensuring security doesn’t become the scapegoat for cultural shifts.
The Employee Perspective: More Than Just a Commute
For cybersecurity practitioners, flexibility has become more than a perk — it’s a priority.
- 75% of cybersecurity professionals rank flexible work in their top 3 job satisfaction factors.
- 42% say flexible work is more important than salary.
- Returning to the office raises new considerations: physical security hygiene, commuting time, on-call demands, and mental health.
Some employees thrive with in-person mentorship and spontaneous collaboration, but others see RTO mandates as a step backward. Companies that get this wrong risk losing their top security talent to competitors who embrace flexibility.
What If COVID Never Happened?
In a thought-provoking segment, Shawn and Garrett explored an alternate timeline: what if the pandemic hadn’t accelerated remote work?
- Would zero trust architectures have evolved as quickly?
- Would CISOs have gained the same level of board visibility?
- Would ransomware and remote-based threats look the same today?
The pandemic was a catalyst for security innovation — forcing organizations to adopt cloud, modernize access controls, and think globally. The RTO debate isn’t just about offices — it’s about the future of how security teams operate and thrive.
Practical Tips for a Secure RTO Transition
Whether you’re an executive, CISO, or security practitioner, here are key steps for a smooth and secure return:
- For Executives: Align cultural and business objectives with clear communication. Invest in modern security architecture, not just policies.
- For CISOs: Revisit segmentation, endpoint hardening, and refresher training. Document and communicate risks early.
- For Employees: Practice good physical security hygiene, stay current with internal policies, and voice concerns constructively.
Closing Thoughts
The future of work in cybersecurity isn’t binary — it’s flexible, layered, and evolving. Return to Office isn’t a rewind button; it’s an opportunity to reimagine secure collaboration.
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