Security fears may hold South African businesses back, according to 2017 Canon Office Insights report
Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, has published highlights from its Office Insights 2017 report, which reveals that South African businesses are investing in digitisation at a rapid rate, but uncertainties around security threatens to slow down progress.
Image Courtesy of Canon
Key Findings:
- 87% of South African office workers view digitisation as ‘critical’ for their business
- 34% of the average organisation’s IT budget will be ploughed into document processing software in three years’ time
- However, only 18% of respondents believe that remote working improves workforce productivity
With the majority of South African businesses keen to invest in business and technology solutions and with cloud storage and computing cited as the most frequently mentioned areas for investment, South Africa shows encouraging signs of being committed to moving towards an increasingly advanced office of the future.
Despite this, more than half of end-users (52%) in South Africa are not fully aware of their company’s corporate security policies, and security concerns are holding back development in a number of crucial business areas.
As a result, 80% of senior managers in South Africa say they are likely to upgrade their document security in the next 1-2 years, and 55% of respondents have already sought guidance from information security experts, or specialist colleagues, to inform their security decision making.
A quarter of respondents mention concerns around security with regards to the rollout of cloud services. 48% of South African respondents worry about losing data in the cloud and only 24% entirely agree that cloud based applications will become the norm. According to the report, one of the results of this attitude is that that the rollout of mobile working has been slower in South Africa than in other regions across Eurasia and the Middle East. For example, 35% of respondents believe that mobile access to company systems are not important, and 44% have no plans to connect their mobile devices to the company printers at all. The skepticism and uncertainty around the benefits of cloud and mobile solutions may hold back progress, according to the Canon Office Insights report.
James de Waal, Head of Marketing, Professional Print Group at Canon SA said:
“Understandably, many businesses are still cautious of integrating mobile and cloud technology into the office landscape. When done right, however, cloud technologies and mobile access can actually improve both security and productivity, allowing users to access lost data, helping to wipe machines remotely, or just enabling flexible working on-the-move. For businesses in South Africa, the key is to provide greater education on the benefits of cloud services, as well as supporting end-users to ensure they are getting the most out of this technology. With the advanced hardware and software security solutions available today, we are eager that no organisation is left behind due to solvable security concerns.”
The Canon Office Insights 2017 research interviewed 2550 office workers, including decision-makers, managers and end-users, across 24 countries in Europe, Eurasia, Africa and Middle-East. The report includes insights from key decision makers and end-users in South Africa and follows on from Canon’s 2013 and 2016 Office Insights reports, which focused heavily on the development of basic document services across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
For more information please visit www.canon.co.za or follow Canon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Linkedin
About Canon Europe
Canon Europe is the EMEA arm of Canon Inc., a global provider of imaging technologies and services, and one of the world’s most well-recognised and loved brands. Canon Europe has operations in around 120 countries, employs approximately 19,000 people across the region, and contributes about a third of Canon’s global revenues annually.
Founded in 1937, Canon has been a leading name in imagery for the past 80 years, and is dedicated to helping people constantly re-imagine what is possible through imaging. From cameras to commercial printers, business consultancy to healthcare technologies, Canon enriches lives and businesses through imaging innovation.
Canon is growing the positive power of imaging technology and services. By delivering social and environmental benefits through our people and products, we are powerfully demonstrating our commitment to our philosophy of Kyosei: living and working together for the common good.
Further information about Canon Europe is available at: www.canon-europe.com
About Canon South Africa
Canon South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon Europe, came into being on January 4, 2000. Canon Europe is the regional sales and marketing operation for Canon Inc., represented in 120 countries and employing over 11,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Canon Europe invested in South Africa with a view to growing and expanding its market share in the country.
In South Africa, the Canon brand is today synonymous with consistency, driven by the company’s passion, imagination, knowledge and importantly, loyalty to its customers. Canon SA offers a wide range of consumer imaging products and business solutions as well as a variety of large format printers.
Canon technologies are durable, innovative, intuitive, and feature smart and environmentally sustainable designs. Canon invests heavily in R & D and will continue to deliver new and technologically advanced products that cater for a variety of requirements.
In South Africa Canon will continue to support environmental sustainability by operating responsibly, minimizing the impact of its business on the environment and also encouraging a culture of environmental awareness and accountability amongst their staff, business associates and partners. Canon has also maintained its ISO 14001 environmental accreditation since 2007.
