When many companies responded to an unprecedented global pandemic with an unparalleled shift to remote work, many leaders were skeptical that on-site productivity gains achieved in the past few years could continue. It turns out, in many cases, the opposite was true.

In todays political landscape a more aggressive enforcement approach from health and safety regulators is fast approaching. For employers looking to reduce their business risk, achieving regulatory compliance starts with creating an audit program that is both strong and sustainable. However, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, many organizations are facing new barriers that may impede how they assess compliance and limit their potential exposure.

Employees, contractors, and vendors have unparalleled access to company data, requiring careful adherence to data privacy best practices to secure personal information. Unfortunately, many employees are either unaware of these practices or are unwilling (or forgetful) to regularly implement them into their workflows.

Some of the most iconic brands started during crises. As documented in an Entrepreneur article, the Hyatt hotel franchise launched during the 1957-1958 economic recession. Microsoft was founded during the oil embargo in the mid-1970s, and several prominent tech brands, including Uber and Airbnb, were created during the Great Recession. For today’s entrepreneurs, the lesson is simple: Don’t let these uniquely disruptive times deter innovation. Many are already embracing this mindset.

As digital security and data privacy become increasingly caustic issues, regulatory compliance is exceedingly challenging. Not only are various regions implementing unique standards, but industries, municipalities, and platforms are issuing new guidelines as well. While CTOs have many solutions for ensuring system compliance, the human element remains more difficult to oversee, mandate, and manage.

For many small businesses, a hybrid workforce is the new normal, creating novel opportunities and unique challenges that organizations will need to navigate in the year ahead. Change is never easy, and the past year has been a constant exercise in disruption. From shifting consumer demands to a radical reorientation of workplace structures, most organizations are becoming even more proficient at navigating uncertainty than ever before.

Last year, Gartner estimated that 80% of companies would implement some form of employee-monitoring software, a noteworthy 50% increase in five years. I’m a vice president at an employee-monitoring provider, and the surge in software sales reflects a growing desire for companies of all sizes to achieve oversight in an increasingly digital environment.