Great Lakes Wire

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for organizations across all industries. Businesses, on average, paid $1.5 million to recover from ransomware attacks, taking about a month to fully recover. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable due to limited resources and less robust security measures. While IT departments typically handle cybersecurity measures, Human Resources (HR) departments play a critical role in fostering a security-conscious culture within organizations.

Less than 1% of companies with fewer than 500 employees have someone dedicated to cybersecurity, making them extremely vulnerable. "Cybersecurity isn’t just for large organizations—it’s critical for every business," said Rick Snyder, CEO of SensCy, ASE’s newest partner. HR must work across the organization to protect employee information as well as other valuable company data.

One of HR's primary responsibilities is managing the onboarding process for new hires. This stage presents an opportunity to introduce cybersecurity policies and best practices. By integrating cybersecurity training into the onboarding program, HR ensures that employees understand their role in protecting company data from the outset.

HR is instrumental in developing comprehensive cybersecurity training programs tailored to various roles within the company. These programs should address specific risks and responsibilities associated with different departments.

HR is uniquely positioned to cultivate a security-first mindset throughout the organization through consistent communication and awareness campaigns.

HR ensures that all employees comply with company policies, including cybersecurity protocols. This involves disseminating clear and accessible policies and monitoring adherence.

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, making continuous education vital. HR can facilitate ongoing learning opportunities through workshops and e-learning modules.

Effective cybersecurity training requires collaboration between HR, IT departments, and company leadership.

Additional tips for HR include adopting a least privilege approach by only giving employees minimum access needed for their job; using multi-factor authentication; setting up secure backups; and creating clear policies like password guidelines.

By adopting these measures, HR can help safeguard sensitive data and strengthen the organization's defenses against cyber threats.

By Heather Nezich