Protect distributed teams, whether in the office or remote

The rise of distributed teams is redefining the workplace, delivering the flexibility modern professionals seek. In Singapore, nearly 89% favour hybrid or remote work¹—but this freedom comes at a cost. Cybercrime expenses are projected to surge from $8.4 trillion in 2022 to over $23 trillion by 2027, with Asia Pacific bearing the brunt.² With 60% of APAC’s workforce operating outside traditional security perimeters, the region has become a hotspot for cyberattacks, disrupting industries and supply chains alike.³ This paradox—distributed teams enabling flexibility while amplifying risks—raises a critical challenge: how can organisations protect their people and operations without stifling the benefits of borderless workplace?

With increasing WiFi risks, mobile data has become the preferred choice for work-related activities. Organisations recognise its advantages over public or unsecured networks, offering employees greater control and reliability.

But unfortunately, not all employees prioritise secure mobile data usage, leaving businesses vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated threats. Mobile-targeted phishing campaigns, ransomware attacks, and zero-day vulnerabilities are surging, posing significant risks to unprotected devices.

For distributed teams, the reliance on connectivity for productivity highlights the importance of using and securing mobile data. 

Singtel has partnered with Palo Alto Networks to pioneer the world’s first security-as-slice cyber security solution. Through 5G network slicing technology and the Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), Enterprise Mobile Protect (EMP) rewrites the rules of mobile security. Powered by AI and machine learning, its real-time defences neutralise zero-day threats before they take hold, safeguarding sensitive business data.

With EMP, the narrative for remote workers changes entirely. Designed for 5G mobile devices using Singtel’s 5G standalone network, EMP leverages 5G network slicing to create a Zero Trust security slice. This slice integrates a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) powered by AI and machine learning, proactively detecting and blocking threats—viruses, malware, spyware, and phishing links—before they reach mobile devices.

Singtel’s 5G priority feature ensures remote workers no longer rely on unsecured networks. Network slicing allocates dedicated bandwidth to remote users, guaranteeing secure and reliable connectivity wherever they work.

For IT teams, EMP eliminates manual updates by enabling customisable policies like URL filtering and blacklisting risky domains and whitelisting trusted ones, ensuring smooth, secure workforce access. Its adaptability offers tailored security solutions to meet unique organisational needs, empowering users to enjoy 5G connectivity without compromise.

*The usage of Whitelist, Blacklist and URL Filtering features are mutually exclusive

The future of work is untethered from desks and traditional office networks. But this new freedom demands stronger, smarter security. EMP ensures businesses can embrace this shift with confidence. Exploring EMP for your business helps you get started. Ready to secure your distributed workforce?