As technology proliferates and the amount of data surges, are contractors faced with too much “digital clutter?” One new survey points to new digital habits and how to manage the digital clutter that exists in both life and at work.
The 2022 Cyber Hoarding Report from HighSpeedInternet.com suggests Americans are spending an average of eight hours online each day in 2022. A survey of 1,000 Americans shows 62% feel stress or anxiety due to the sheer number of digital files they have, which can manifest in slower internet speeds and increased cybersecurity risks.
When it comes to the construction industry, having a good digital policy about what files and data are needed on projects—and when to archive such data—could create a more secure working environment, while also minimizing stress for workers.
Questions to Consider
When creating a good digital policy for the workplace, there are many different facets and aspects that could impact a policy. Consider some of these questions listed below.
How many items do workers have on their desktops or mobile devices? This survey suggests 20% of Americans have more than 100 items.
How long should workers keep documents? Over two-fifths of respondents (42%) reported keeping documents they may no longer need.
What is your company email policy? Only 52% of respondents delete emails on a regular basis, creating digital clutter for many and an unsecure work environment.
How often are passwords changed? Less than 24% of Americans change their passwords on a regular basis. This is true both in life and at work, which often leads to cyber-attacks.
How often are apps updated? Perhaps this isn’t surprising, but 45% do not regularly update apps installed on their phone or computer. A simple policy and company procedure could change this at work.
How often is cache cleared? More than 1 in 4 Americans rarely or never clear the cache or cookies from their browser. Again, perhaps some guidelines could clearly state when to do this at work.
The Way Forward
Answering these questions could be the first step to creating a clear guide for how to clear digital clutter in 2023 and beyond. The next step would be clearly communicating these guidelines to workers. If successfully implemented, we could be well on our way to a more secure and “digital clutter-free” future for all.
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