Working together, IT and HR can combine their skills to thwart cybersecurity attacks.
Despite the best efforts of savvy businesses and high-tech pros, cyberattacks are on the rise; and cyber criminals actually are getting more prolific and sophisticated. As these attacks ramp up, fighting cybersecurity is no longer just the job of the IT department. HR also has an important role to play. By partnering with your IT, you can combine your efforts to foil cybercrime in your organization.
Sit down with IT. Your IT team has the technical expertise to protect the employer, employees, patients, and others from cybersecurity attacks. But HR has the engagement acumen to get management and employees on board and committed to sharing information safely and effectively. Consider establishing quarterly meetings or check-ins between IT and HR to develop and maintain policies and procedures, as well as an emergency response plan to follow in the event of a cyberattack.
Take a fresh look at employee training and testing procedures. Make sure cybersecurity is part of your onboarding and new employee orientation efforts. Help workers understand from day one the importance of cybersecurity and the role that everyone in the company plays. Consider using “gamified” software and virtual reality for training that is fun and impactful. These tools also can go a long way toward helping employees understand the widespread impact of cyberbreaches, hacking, etc.
Be a friendly “cyber cop.” Put up signs in break rooms and restrooms reminding workers to change their device passwords frequently. Walk around to make sure people don’t have post-its or other visible notes at their desks with passwords or other private information; make sure they are securing their computers when they are away from their devices. Test your employees occasionally with mock phishing emails. Perhaps offer a prize to the department with the most people who identify and report the “phishy” message.
Conduct a checkup on your HR technology. Meet with IT experts and determine how safe, secure, and up-to-date your own software is. When purchasing new technology, consider issuing a request for proposals to enable you to define your needs and expectations in detail. Be sure to address your employees’ “pain points” regarding the use of technology and their concerns about security.
Working together, IT and HR can be a formidable force that deters cybercriminals and enable organizations to respond agilely when a problem does arise.
