Why HR is at risk from cyberattacksHuman Resources professionals (HRs) are a common, high risk target for cyberattacks - simply because they are easily accessible. They are the "front of house" for businesses, with the contact details often available on the company website. While this is to make them easy to reach for current and future employees, and anyone else who chooses to do so. © stokkete – 123RF.com They are also high-value contacts because HRs are the guards of company information. They have access to and protect company intellectual property and employee personal information. And this data is highly valuable to cyber attackers. Here are three main ways in which HR professionals are vulnerable to attack:
Kaspersky and B2B International also researched employees' role in a business's fight against cybercrime. "We've found that just over half of businesses (52%) believe they are at risk from within. Their staff, whether intentionally or through their carelessness or lack of knowledge, are putting the businesses they work for at risk," explains Lehan van den Heever, enterprise cyber security advisor, Kaspersky. "This is why staff training is essential in raising awareness among personnel and motivating them to pay attention to cyberthreats and countermeasures ― even if it’s not part of their specific job responsibilities." To minimise the likelihood of intruders penetrating an HR department, van den Heever recommends the following tips:
|