This article appeared in Cybersecurity Law & Strategy, an ALM publication for privacy and security professionals, Chief Information Security Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Corporate Counsel, Internet and Tech Practitioners, In-House Counsel. Visit the website to learn more.

This year of COVID-19 is one we can refer to as the year of Lockdown, the word of the year according to Collins Dictionary. We have had no shortage of cybersecurity warnings and events, many of them affecting our comfort in managing work-at-home on connected devices.

At the same time, this year has driven increasing dependence on those mobile devices, whether to communicate with friends or the workplace, to transact business, or monitor personal activities like visiting a doctor. Almost every activity involves these devices, as well as the confidential information these devices allow. Also expanding in the stay-at-home life are the number of entities demanding access to what is confidential and imposing penalties or inconvenience when permission is withheld.