Employee Data Breaches: The HR Strategies | #hrmanagement #hrexecutive

As our world becomes increasingly digitized, the amount of data that companies collect and store has skyrocketed. With the vast amount of data available, companies need to be increasingly vigilant to protect their data, especially their customers’ personal information. While companies invest heavily in cybersecurity measures to prevent external attacks, they often overlook the threat that comes from within their own walls. Employee data breaches can be just as damaging as external attacks, if not more so, and can result in severe consequences for both the company and the affected individuals.

Employee data breaches occur when an employee accesses or shares sensitive company or customer information without proper authorization. These breaches can be caused by a wide range of factors, such as negligence, insider threats, or third-party vendor breaches. Regardless of the cause, the consequences of employee data breaches can be severe, ranging from financial penalties and loss of reputation to loss of employee trust and productivity. According to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 33% of data breaches involved internal actors, and 85% of those breaches were malicious or criminal in nature.

In recent years, there have been several high-profile employee data breaches that have brought this issue to the forefront. As companies continue to collect and store more data, it is essential for them to understand the consequences of employee data breaches and implement strategies to prevent them. In this article, we will discuss the consequences of employee data breaches and provide strategies that companies can implement to prevent them.

Image by Freepik

Employee Data Breach Consequences to Companies

Employee data breaches can have severe consequences for both the company and the affected individuals. Here are some of the most significant consequences:

• Financial consequences: Companies that experience employee data breaches may face significant financial penalties, including fines and lawsuits. For example, in 2019, Capital One agreed to pay $80 million in fines after a data breach exposed the personal information of over 100 million customers. In addition to fines and lawsuits, companies may also face costs associated with investigating the breach and implementing new security measures.
• Reputational damage and loss of customer trust: A data breach can damage a company’s reputation and erode the trust that customers have in the company. Customers may be hesitant to share their personal information with the company in the future, which can harm the company’s bottom line. A damaged reputation can also make it more difficult for the company to attract new customers or retain existing ones.
• Loss of employee trust and productivity: When a data breach occurs, employees may feel that their personal information is not safe with the company. This can result in a loss of trust and reduced productivity. Employees may be less willing to share sensitive information or participate in data collection initiatives.
• Regulatory consequences: Companies that experience data breaches may also face regulatory consequences. For example, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) both have strict requirements for data protection, and non-compliance can result in significant fines.

Overall, the consequences of employee data breaches can be severe and long-lasting. Companies must take steps to prevent employee data breaches and minimize the damage when they do occur. In the next section, we will discuss the common causes of employee data breaches.

Common Causes of Employee Data Breaches

Employee data breaches can occur due to a wide range of factors. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Employee negligence: One of the most common causes of employee data breaches is employee negligence. This can include using weak passwords, falling for phishing scams, or accessing sensitive information from an unsecured device or network. Negligence can be unintentional, but it can still result in significant consequences.
• Insider threats: Insider threats occur when an employee intentionally or unintentionally accesses or shares sensitive information. For example, an employee may steal customer data to sell it to a competitor, or they may accidentally send an email to the wrong person containing sensitive information. Insider threats can be difficult to detect, but they can be particularly damaging as the employee has authorized access to the data.
• Third-party vendor breaches: Companies may also experience data breaches through third-party vendors. For example, a vendor may be hacked, and customer data may be exposed. This can be particularly damaging if the vendor has access to sensitive information.

Prevention Strategies for HR and Other Departments

Preventing employee data breaches requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the various causes of breaches. Here are some strategies that companies can implement to prevent employee data breaches:

• Employee training and awareness programs: Companies can implement employee training programs that teach employees about cybersecurity best practices, such as how to create strong passwords, identify phishing scams, and safely access sensitive information. By increasing employee awareness of cybersecurity risks, companies can reduce the likelihood of employee negligence leading to a data breach.
• Strong password policies and two-factor authentication: Companies can implement strong password policies that require employees to use complex passwords that are changed regularly. Two-factor authentication can also be used to provide an extra layer of security. By requiring a second form of authentication, such as a text message or fingerprint scan, companies can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Monitoring and access control: Companies can monitor employee activity and implement access control measures to ensure that employees only have access to the data that they need to perform their jobs. This can reduce the risk of accidental or intentional data breaches.
• Regular software updates and patches: Companies can reduce the risk of data breaches by regularly updating their software and implementing security patches. Outdated software can contain security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
• Incident response plan and regular drills: Companies should have an incident response plan in place that outlines how to respond in the event of a data breach. Regular drills can also be conducted to ensure that employees know how to respond in the event of a breach.

By implementing these strategies, companies can reduce the risk of employee data breaches and minimize the damage when they do occur. 

Identity Theft Protection Services

In addition to implementing prevention strategies, companies can also provide identity theft protection services to their employees to help prevent data breaches. Companies such as Aura and Identity Guard offer comprehensive identity theft protection services that can help employees protect their personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft.

Other identity theft protection services, such as LifeLock, also offer similar services that include credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and alerts for suspicious activity related to an employee’s personal information.

When choosing an identity theft protection service, companies should carefully evaluate the available options and choose a provider that offers comprehensive protection and excellent customer service. Companies should also consider factors such as pricing and the specific needs of their employees.

For example, when comparing Aura and Identity Guard, you’ll find differences in terms of pricing and features. Aura offers a suite of cybersecurity and identity theft protection services, including credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and alerts for suspicious activity. Identity Guard also offers comprehensive identity theft protection services, including credit monitoring, social security number monitoring, and identity restoration services. So when considering either of these two options, make sure that you consider each of their features and how they are relevant to your company’s needs.

HR Takes Lead in Employee Data Protection

Preventing employee data breaches requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the various causes of breaches. Companies, led by HR, must take the necessary steps to protect their employees’ and customers’ personal information and be prepared to respond quickly in the event of a breach. By implementing these strategies, companies can minimize the damage when employee data breaches occur and maintain their reputation and the trust of their customers.

Overall, preventing employee data breaches should be a top priority for companies in all industries, as the consequences of a breach can be severe and long-lasting. Companies should take proactive measures to reduce the risk of breaches and be prepared to respond quickly and effectively if a breach does occur.