Page 60 - Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2023

The invasive nature of such surveillance is not just morally questionable, but it poses a huge threat to
individual privacy rights - the very backbone of our democratic society.

The rise of remote work, facilitated by platforms like Upwork, has made supervision even more prevalent.
While it’s essential to ensure employers receive the work they’ve commissioned, the ways to achieve this
must be reasonable.

One can’t deny employers’ legitimate interests in ensuring efficiency. The digital age has brought with it
tools that can help businesses thrive, and it would be remiss not to use them. However, striking a balance
between leveraging these technologies and respecting employees’ privacy rights is paramount.

When done ethically and within reasonable boundaries, surveillance can be a powerful tool for
businesses. Yet, the keyword here is ‘ethical’. It should never be used as a means to control or intimidate
- it should be a tool to improve performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the security of
company data.

Additionally, workers should be explicitly made aware of when, how, and why they are being monitored.
For instance, if a specific conversation is being recorded or if their desktop activities are under
surveillance, it should be made abundantly clear.

After all, without clear communication and mutual agreement, employers risk creating a workplace culture
characterized by fear.

While workplace surveillance might be a necessary tool in specific contexts, it must be approached with
caution and respect for individual rights. Transparency and consent are the only way forward. Without
them, we risk creating a culture of fear and mistrust, which could have far-reaching implications for
employee morale and, ultimately, business success.

Ultimately, the question isn’t just about what employers can do with technology but what they should do.

About the Author

Ken Cox, the President of Hostirian, a leading data privacy firm, is a
passionate advocate for privacy rights, dedicated to fostering an ethical and
nurturing work environment. From humble beginnings in Missouri, Ken Cox
has conquered a life full of hardships and has come out on top. He's the
President of Hostirian and a solutions-focused Senior Executive with over 20
years of solid success in the software, SaaS, telecom, and e-commerce
industries. Ken Cox is an expert when it comes to helping companies with
outsourced IT projects, IT infrastructure, compliance, marketing campaigns,
sales strategy, or M&A activity. In his impressive career, Mr. Cox has held
top leadership positions at Hostirian, Rivercity Internet Group, Mpower
Communications, and Midwest Micro Systems. Ken can be reached on Instagram,
@clicksandbrickspodcast, and at the company website https://hostirian.com/

Cyber Defense eMagazine – December 2023 Edition 60
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