The Role of HR in Mitigating Cyber Security Threats

Even the greatest digital security system is only as good as its weakest link.

This also applies in the context of cyberattacks, which have wrecked havoc across the world in the past few years, with the most notable ones, including Shadow Brokers, WannaCry, and Petya, shaking up the economy of over billions of dollars. An estimate by Heimdal Security, a cyber security company, found that that cyber security breaches cost the global economy over $100 billion every year.

It should be particularly concerning to know that 60 percent of all fired employees steal corporate information with malicious intent. 20 percent of breaches at work are mostly attributed to careless mistakes made by employees. This is where human resources can play an important role.

Human resource teams should consult with information technology professionals, whether in-house or external consultants. The fact is that most HR personnel work with sensitive information and are most vulnerable to cyber attacks. HR records contain private information that is highly sensitive, including date of births, bank details, social security numbers, EIN numbers, and home addresses. This makes it particularly important for HR professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of how to protect the data, not only within their own department, but within the company as a whole.

Staying Ahead of New Cyber Threats

Cyber threats constantly evolve and develop sophisticated methods of breaching cyber security measures. HR teams should be able to recognize potential cyber security threats that their companies are susceptible to, and these include both internal and external threats. Hackers typically break into companies using a scamming technique known as ‘phishing.’

This is where they impersonate their boss or a trusted entity to trick employees into giving out valuable information, usually via email. It is relatively easy for hackers to imitate emails from trustworthy sources that most employees won’t be able to see through. These emails often carry malicious software that can be used to compromise the target network’s data systems to access sensitive data.

How Can HR Mitigate Cyber Security Threats?

HR teams should collaborate with the IT department to develop security protocols. They should regularly train regular employees and HR staff alike on cyber security protocols. This is especially true for new employees before they join the company. Cyber security training should be an important component of their on-job training.  The focus should be on securing emails and learning how to spot malicious software based on trends.

For their own security, and that of others, HR teams should ensure that their new employees don’t bring any sensitive information or data with them from their previous companies. It is of vital importance to close down active online accounts of former employees once their contracts are terminated, for obvious reasons.

HR teams should actively carry out any disciplinary actions against the employees who refuse to comply with their handbook or security protocols.

The threat of cyber security is on the rise, but don’t let that deter your organization from reaching its goals. Get in touch with consultants at JS Benefits Group to properly manage cyber security.