Risk Assessment for Mobile Workers based on Multiple Viewpoints and Portfolio of Risk Countermeasures

Abstract

In recent years, the government-led “work style reform” has been heavily promoted, and the work style called telework has been attracting attention, particularly since the advent of COVID-19 in early 2020. Telework, which involves mobile workers working outside the office to improve productivity and reduce costs, is becoming mainstream in many companies. However, as workers outside of the office perimeter face increasing daily security threats, mobile workers present various new risks to enterprises. Mobile workers themselves are also associated with risks due to changes in their working environment, as the increasing external pressures to work more effectively and efficiently can affect their well-being. In this paper, we focus on risk, which is the most important of the various issues facing mobile workers. Specifically, we extracted the current risk factors of mobile workers by using a risk breakdown structure method based on literature and case studies, and then proposed countermeasures for the extracted risk factors using a risk matrix method. We also developed a portfolio of risk measures from the viewpoint of practicality and demonstrated that step-by-step measures are possible. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the proposed risk measures using the risk values. Our findings will help contribute to a safe and secure mobile work environment.