As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, the conversation around workplace flexibility and empowerment is more critical than ever. However, Integrity360 cautions that without a supportive and secure digital environment, the hybrid work models that empower many working mothers can inadvertently create new burdens and security risks.
The company argues that a truly inclusive workplace goes beyond offering flexible hours; it requires a cybersecurity strategy that is built to support a diverse workforce without disproportionately penalising those who need flexibility the most. Rather than placing the stress of security squarely on the employee, organisations must shift to a model where security is an enabler of flexible work, not an obstacle. This is especially pertinent given that in South Africa, 43% of mothers live in single-parent households, carrying the sole burden of raising their children while working.
The ‘Cyber-Secure Mom’ checklist for businesses
To help organisations assess their readiness, Integrity360 proposes a new approach that ensures cybersecurity policies and culture empower, rather than penalise, working mothers.
- Audit your policies for unintended bias: Businesses must review their cybersecurity policies to identify potential biases that penalise a flexible work style. For example, rigid rules on network connectivity may unintentionally create stress for a parent needing to manage an urgent family matter or run a household alone while being employed.
- Measure empowerment, not just compliance: A healthy security culture surveys employees’ confidence in handling cyber threats, going beyond simply tracking who completed training. This acknowledges that a working mother’s ability to engage with security may differ from others and requires tailored support.
- Create secure ‘safe spaces’ for reporting: Establish clear, non-punitive channels for reporting security incidents. This helps alleviate the fear of reprisal, especially for those juggling work with other responsibilities, ensuring that they feel supported in doing the right thing.
An action list for empowering mothers without increasing their burden
Moving beyond the checklist, here is what organisations can do to create an actionable, supportive security ecosystem.
- Tailored security training and support: Provide bite-sized, on-demand training that fits into a flexible schedule, as opposed to rigid, long-form sessions.
- Proactive threat detection: Implement managed security services that actively monitor and neutralise threats measured in real business-impact terms behind the scenes, reducing the employee’s mental burden.
- Hardware and software as standard: Provide company-issued devices with pre-configured security settings and the necessary software, removing the stress of securing personal devices for work. This is particularly important as almost half (49%) of skilled women in South Africa have had a career pause for reasons including motherhood, and many seek to return to the workforce without the additional burden of securing a personal device for professional use.
The ideal day: a day in the life of a cyber-secure mom
Imagine a mother working for a modern, security-conscious organisation. Her day isn’t filled with the stress of a punitive security policy. A suspicious email is flagged and dealt with by her organisation’s security provider before it even reaches her inbox. When a new policy is introduced, she can review a short, engaging video during a break, rather than having to carve out hours for a lecture. She knows she can report any issue to a supportive team without fear of negative consequences. This is a culture where security is an invisible shield, not a source of stress.
Conclusion
As we observe Women’s Month, true digital empowerment is about more than just technology; it is about building a supportive culture and a robust infrastructure that enables all employees to thrive. By focusing on the unique needs of working mothers, businesses can not only enhance their cybersecurity posture but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being.