HR departments hold a vast amount of data ranging from home addresses, social security numbers and other personal information. They are responsible for protecting this sensitive information that are transferred both internally and externally.
According to Verizon’s 2015 Data Breach Investigations Report, companies lost an estimated $400 million as a result of 700 million compromised records worldwide. Companies are having an increased concern about being a victim of cyberattack and are looking for different ways to protect valuable information.
According to an independent study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by Raytheon, the following steps should be taken to help decrease your risk of a cyberattack:
- Prepare to deal with external threats such as nation-state attackers, cyberwarfare or cyberterrorism. More resources should be allocated to dealing with an increasingly sophisticated and stealthy cybercriminal, the report stated.
- Prepare a strategy to manage the risks that will be posed by the Internet of Things, which refers to devices beyond smartphones and tablets that connect to the Internet. The report said that organizations should “conduct a security impact assessment on how the Internet of Things will impact your organization’s security posture.”
- Be mindful of the burgeoning adoption of virtual money, which will pose more risks to customers and businesses.
- Figure out how to effectively implement the use of “big data.” Data analytics will impact organizations in negative and positive ways. While the positive side to this will be the increased availability of analytics that can help thwart cyberattacks, the negative will be the challenge in protecting a vast amount of confidential and sensitive information.
- Recruit cybersecurity experts and provide professional development for your staff in matters of cybersecurity. “A key differentiator among organizations will be the ability to hire and retain knowledgeable and experienced cybersecurity practitioners,” the report stated.
- Invest in trusted technologies that help to thwart attacks. This not only includes cybersecurity technologies, but also firewalls and data encryption.
- Hold cybersecurity training and awareness programs regularly. “These programs are critical in making employees and contractors the first line of defense against malicious or criminal activity,” the report said.
If you have any questions or concerns, call us at 281-469-1800 so speak with one of our Human Resources Professionals.
