Cybersecurity is a key concern for various fields, and understandably so. We all put a lot of information on the web that we would rather not see in anyone else’s hands, even if it’s not C-L-A-S-S-I-F-I-E-D written across the header in red ink.
This is certainly the case within Human Resources (HR) departments responsible for safeguarding employee information, where items might as well be stamped in red or stored in a triple-lock filing cabinet.
Of course, the internet can be better than that triple lock, but it can’t be without some proactive, forward-thinking action from HR managers.
Let’s look at how cybersecurity is impacting HR and employee data protection.
The Backstory (Vastly Condensed)
HR departments often manage vast amounts of sensitive data, including personal identification details, financial records, and health information. This wealth of data can make HR departments targets for cyberattacks.
Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities within HR systems. A lawsuit filed against the Trump administration alleged that unauthorized access was granted to sensitive information of millions of government workers, underscoring the risks of inadequate data protection measures.
HR’s Relationship with Cybersecurity
HR professionals need to be able to balance transparency against confidentiality, ensuring that employee information is handled ethically, securely, and in compliance with data protection laws.
Mishandling personal records can lead to workplace disputes, legal consequences, and reputational damage.
HR’s common cybersecurity battles
Top of the list, there are phishing attacks: deceptive emails to trick HR staff into revealing information or granting system access, often under the impression they’re sharing that information with a c-suite exec or superior.
Then there’s ransomware, AKA malicious software, that can blackmail businesses for access to their own data.
There are also third-party vulnerabilities to consider, wherein collaborations with external vendors can introduce security gaps if their systems aren’t protected.
And, Similarly, there are insider threats, where innocent mistakes or unauthorized access or data leaks by employees can compromise information.
Pushing Risk to the Fringes
The first thing we would recommend you look at is data encryption. While an HR department typically makes things more readable and digestible for their average non-HR colleagues, data encryption does the opposite and makes data harder for unauthorized parties to understand and intercept.
After that? Access controls.
This is all about knowing the who’s who and keeping it that way. Limiting access to certain information to only those employees who are authorized is a great defensive measure.
What you want to be doing in the meantime is regular training.
Educating staff on cybersecurity fosters a culture of security awareness and reduces the chance of human error. You can’t expect your employees to stay on top of the latest cybersecurity threats constantly without giving them the time and space to do so. We’re not all tech whizzes, and that’s okay.
Oh, you want the last one?
Regular audits. Make sure you know who is who, and don’t forget it or them! Conduct those assessments like you’re running an orchestra: verify your colleagues and employees and remind them of their duty to cybersecurity care.
Finally (now for real), use a VPN.
Virtual Private Networks have become the backbone of the average Joe’s cyber defense, as well as SMEs and major corporations. What a VPN does is encrypt internet connections.
Those data transfers between employees and company servers get a nice little defense and keep it all confidential and secure.
Building a Culture of Security
Fostering a culture that prioritizes data security is essential. HR plays an important part by integrating cybersecurity awareness into daily operations and making sure that security is a shared responsibility across all departments.
Leadership sets the tone: when executives and HR leaders prioritize cybersecurity, employees are more likely to follow suit. Organizations should stress the importance of data protection through leadership messages, regular updates, and policies.
Companies must also implement solutions like VPNs and AI security prevention tools. A 2024 report by IBM found, “Organizations that applied AI and automation to security prevention saw the biggest impact in reducing the cost of a breach, saving an average of USD 2.22 million over those organizations that didn’t deploy these technologies.”
Long Story Short…
HR departments are an essential defense for the most human part of companies: the people themselves.
Remaining vigilant and proactive in defending the digital lifeblood of what these people are and have is essential, or you’re simply running your department with wicker baskets rather than top-of-the-range filing cabinets.
