The number of apps and web tools employees use regularly continues to increase. Most departments have about 40-60 different digital tools they rely on. 71% of employees feel they have so many apps that work is more complex. Many of the apps we use have various alerts. We receive a "ping" when someone mentions our name on a Teams channel. We get a notification popup that an update is available. We are sent an alert about errors or security issues. App fatigue is real and becoming a cybersecurity problem.
The more people get overwhelmed by notifications, the more likely they are to ignore them. Think of the various digital alerts you get daily:
• Software apps on your computer
• Web-based SaaS tools
• Websites where you've allowed alerts
• Mobile apps and tools
• Email banners
• Text messages
• Team communication tool
Some employees get the same notification on two different devices. This just adds to the problem. This leads to many issues that impact productivity and cybersecurity. Besides alert bombardment, every time the boss introduces another app, that means a new password. Employees already juggle 191 passwords and use, at least, 154 of them during the month.
The Impact of App Fatigue on Companies
1. Overlooking Updates
When digital alerts interrupt your work, you feel like you're always behind. This leads to ignoring small tasks seen as not time-sensitive, such as clicking to install an app update. For instance, if an employee sees a notification about a meeting time change and decides to ignore it, they could show up late and miss important information. Employees overwhelmed with too many app alerts, tend to disregard them. When updates come up, they may click them away. They feel they can't spare the time and aren't sure how long it will take. Ignoring app updates is dangerous. Many of those updates include key security patches for found vulnerabilities. When they're not installed, the device and its network are at higher risk. It becomes easier to suffer a successful cyberattack.
2. Mitigating Risks of Employee Password Reuse
Another security casualty of app fatigue is password security. The more SaaS accounts someone creates, the more likely they are to reuse passwords. It's estimated that passwords are typically reused 64% of the time. Credential breaches are a key driver of cloud data breaches. Hackers can easily crack weak passwords. The same password used several times leaves many accounts at risk.
3. Employees' Tendency to Disable App Notifications
Some alerts are okay to turn off. For example, do you really need to know when someone responds to a group thread? Or just when they @name you? But, turning off key security alerts is bad. There comes a breaking point when one more push notification can push someone over the edge. They may turn off all alerts across all apps. The problem with this is that in the mix are relevant alerts, such as an anti-malware app warning about a newly found virus.
Strategies to Combat App Fatigue and Improve Productivity
It's not realistic to go back in time to before all these apps existed. But you can implement a strategy that puts people in charge of their tech, and not the other way around.
1. Streamlining Business Applications: Enhancing Efficiency and Security
From both a productivity and security standpoint, fewer apps are better. The fewer apps you have, the less risk. In addition, there are fewer passwords to remember and notifications to deal with. Look at the tools you use to see where redundancies may be. Many companies use two or more apps that do the same function. Consider using an umbrella platform like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. These platforms include a number of tools, but users only need a single login to access them.
2. Optimizing App Notifications: IT's Role in Setting up Effective Alerts
Users don't know what types of notifications are most relevant. Set up their app notifications for them. This ensures they are not overburdened but are still getting the right ones.
3. Automating Application Updates: Enhancing Security and Productivity
Cybersecurity best practices automate device and software updates. This takes the process out of employees' hands. It enhances productivity by removing unnecessary updates from their view. Automating device updates through a managed services solution improves security. It also mitigates the chance of a vulnerable app putting your network at risk.
4. Promoting Effective Alert Management: Fostering Two-Way Communication
Employees may never turn off an alert because they're afraid they might get into trouble. Managers may not even realise that constant app alert interruptions hurt productivity. Communicate with employees and let them know they can contact you. Discuss how to use alerts effectively. As well as the most efficient ways to manage alerts for a better and more productive workday.
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