How Hong Kong Employers Can Reap the Benefits of SaaS Security for Business 4.0

Florence Mok, Managing Director – North Asia, BIPO shares her observations and insights on why SaaS security for businesses is critical amidst the current pandemic.

More than a year into the pandemic, organisations face a combination of challenges – from disrupted labour markets to the increase in remote work. The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, with organisations now looking more seriously at adopting Software as a Service (SaaS) technologies.

At the start of the pandemic, organisations adapted by implementing business continuity plans, managing flexible work arrangements, and employee communication channels, observed Florence Mok, Managing Director – North Asia, BIPO.

Speaking exclusively with Human Resources Online (Hong Kong), she said, “A year on, industries such as food & beverage, logistics, and tourism have pivoted to technology to solve pain points and in the process, transform their business.”

Citing a recent survey by McKinsey involving 29,000 respondents which showed that the pandemic has driven the rapid adoption of digital channels, Mok urged organisations to ensure that adequate cloud-based security tools are in place to protect the sensitive information that SaaS applications carry.

Pivoting to the new digital economy

BIPO supports clients across 108 countries and regions with a range of SaaS HR and payroll solutions. Mok has worked with a diverse portfolio of enterprises in Hong Kong and North Asia. She has seen an increase in the use of technology and digital tools to support business operations.

Mok added, “As large amounts of sensitive data can be easily accessed from any smart device by a vast number of users, this poses a risk to privacy and sensitive information, including vulnerability to new malware and phishing attacks. The need for improved SaaS security tools will play a big role in today’s new digital economy.”

BIPO’s integrated cloud-based HR management system is hosted securely on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alibaba Cloud – both highly regarded for their computing, storage, and content processing capabilities. Being ISO-27001 certified, BIPO has in place robust practices, such as vulnerability assessment and pen-tests that act as additional measures to safeguard the security of its platform and data.

Mok shared, “Protecting the integrity of cloud platforms is crucial in the current business climate given the increase in remote work.” She elaborated, “This is why BIPO has also implemented next-gen SaaS security tools with the capability to proactively search and detect threats. Such tools are run concurrently on our servers to enhance the security of our platform.”

As organisations facilitate smart workplaces that enable employees to interact with devices like phones, laptops in a singular integrated experience, business leaders must leverage SaaS technologies and ensure that security tools are in place to pivot to the new norm, she concluded.

Download your free whitepaper: SaaS Security for Business 4.0 – A Guide for Businesses in Hong Kong

First published in HR Online on 20 July 2021