"Ending Remote Work Raises Pandemic Concerns... Maintaining It Poses Security Issues"

Companies Hesitant to End Remote Work
Most Including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor
"For Now, Decided to Maintain Remote Work"
Hanwha Solutions and Hyundai Steel
Not Considering Easing Existing Policies
Companies Strengthen Employee Security Training

Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus view. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyungil Oh, Jinho Kim, Chaeseok Moon] As POSCO has proactively decided to lift remote work, major companies that have maintained a cautious stance have also begun reviewing whether to maintain their current work systems. Most companies state that they will decide based on the guidelines of health authorities and the speed of COVID-19 spread, but some are leaning toward easing restrictions and have started making changes. Global major companies such as Google and Microsoft have already returned to normal office attendance. However, opinions differ due to concerns that a large-scale outbreak could disrupt business operations and the need to lift restrictions for security reasons related to advanced technologies, deepening companies' dilemmas.

According to the industry on the 31st, major conglomerates including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group plan not to change their remote work systems for the time being. Currently, Samsung Electronics allows 50% of office workers to work remotely on a voluntary basis, and Hyundai Motor Group recommends a remote work ratio of 50-70% (based on headquarters office workers) depending on the situation of each department or site. While most companies maintain the principle of '50% of all employees or 50% of office workers working remotely,' some sectors such as steel and shipbuilding, where facility operation personnel are essential, operate partial on-site work systems for field workers.

However, recently the atmosphere has been shifting toward easing remote work systems. Some companies like Hanwha Solutions and Hyundai Steel are considering somewhat relaxing their existing policies. Both companies plan to issue internal notices next month regarding partial easing after organizing and obtaining approval from their in-house quarantine teams. An industry official said, "Companies do not abruptly change internal policies," adding, "It is likely that the remote work system will be adjusted slightly more loosely, and with Omicron cases continuing to appear, the internal situation room is deeply concerned."

Another factor preventing a sudden lifting is that the government still recommends remote work. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has encouraged remote work by presenting data from 2019 to 2021, compiled with Statistics Korea, since the end of last year. The argument is that productivity does not decline even when working remotely. According to Statistics Korea and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of remote workers last year was 1.14 million, a 12-fold increase compared to 95,000 in 2019 before COVID-19. There are also voices saying that even if health authorities ease social distancing guidelines and companies want to 'lift remote work,' immediate implementation is difficult.

As remote work prolongs, the security measures and burdens on companies possessing key advanced core technologies are increasing. In fact, subtle changes have been detected at Samsung Electronics following a recent attempt by an employee to leak semiconductor core technology. In the semiconductor division, a rotating remote work system was introduced last month based on department heads' decisions, covering about 20% of personnel eligible for remote work. Officially, there is no review yet to ease the remote work ratio, but it is reported that remote work allowances have significantly decreased except for confirmed COVID-19 cases or close contacts. Additionally, management of remote workers who are confirmed cases or close contacts has been strengthened. It is known that differentiated access rights to confidential documents for external viewing have been applied. LG Display, where an employee was caught attempting to leak technology while working remotely last year, is also reviewing measures to respond to increased security threats recently.

Semiconductor companies such as SK Hynix are also responding by strengthening employee security training to prevent confidential information from leaking during remote work and by reinforcing locks on internal document viewing systems.

An industry insider said, "Due to the nature of the industry with many critical technologies that must not be leaked externally, a culture is being formed so that remote workers do not handle highly sensitive information-related tasks requiring high-level security," adding, "Except for unavoidable cases such as virus infection, remote work is minimized while security management is strengthened."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.