With the increasing digitalisation of business services, the cybersecurity of HR data is a key issue in ensuring the protection of sensitive information. Managing expense claims, payslips and employment contracts involves handling confidential information such as :
- Employees’ personal data (names, addresses, National Insurance numbers, bank details);
- Details of their contracts and career progression;
- Sensitive accounting and financial information.
HR data is a prime target for cybercriminals, and can lead to data breaches, fraud and financial loss. It is therefore imperative to protect this data to ensure legal compliance and maintain the trust of employees and partners.
1. The central role of HR in cybersecurity
Human Resources plays a central role in corporate cybersecurity. It holds sensitive HR data and interacts with various departments, including employees, senior management, and IT departments (CIO, CISO, DPO). Its role in cybersecurity rests on two key pillars :
- Protecting sensitive data : Ensuring that personal and financial data is safeguarded against unauthorised access.
- Raising staff awareness : Training and supporting employees to adopt best practices in cybersecurity.
Through effective coordination with other departments, HR contributes to the implementation of a solid cyber security policy, creating a culture of security within the company.
2. The importance of HR software in the cybersecurity of HR data
Specialised HR software for managing expense claims, payroll and leave makes administrative tasks easier, but it is also a key factor in the cybersecurity of HR data. Software that is poorly secured or incorrectly configured can become a gateway for cyberattacks. It is therefore crucial to ensure these tools are used securely.
Ensuring the secure use of HR software
- Opt for solutions that are certified and GDPR-compliant : Choose software that meets security standards and incorporates data encryption.
- Insist on secure access : Strong authentication (MFA, SSO) helps to minimise the risk of unauthorised access.
- Insist on regular updates : they fix security vulnerabilities and strengthen the protection of HR data.
- Insist on monitoring access and suspicious activity : Monitoring logins and fraud attempts is essential for detecting anomalies.
- Implement a legally compliant archiving system : Secure archiving of HR documents, particularly expense claims, ensures their integrity and legal compliance.
Automation using these tools improves the efficiency of HR departments, but requires constant vigilance to prevent any compromise of sensitive data.
3. The main cybersecurity risks to HR data
Cyberattacks and data breaches
Cyber-attacks such as ransomware (malicious software that blocks access to data in exchange for ransom) or phishing (phishing aimed at stealing identifiers) are constant threats. A leak of HR or accounting information can have serious consequences :
- Identity theft and bank fraud ;
- Loss of strategic company data ;
- Damage to reputation and loss of employee confidence.
Non-compliance with regulations
Companies must comply with strict standards such as the RGPD (General Data Protection Regulation). Non-compliance can result in financial penalties and legal action.
Internal risks and human error
Poor access management or a lack of employee awareness can facilitate unintentional data leaks or internal abuse.
4. Solutions for strengthening HR data cybersecurity
Data encryption and security
End-to-end encryption is essential to protect data stored and transmitted. HR and accounting information must be encrypted to ensure that it remains inaccessible in the event of hacking.
Implementation of controlled access policies
The implementation of Identity Access Management (IAM) systems limits the risks of intrusion. Applying the principle of least privilege ensures that each employee only has access to information that is strictly necessary for their work.
Employee awareness and training
Human error is at the root of many data leaks. It is therefore essential to provide regular training in cyber security, including how to recognise phishing attempts and how to manage passwords.
Authentification forte et types de connexion
Authentication methods must be chosen according to the level of security required :
- Traditional authentication (email and password) : Avoid this without additional security measures; instead, use strong passwords and a password manager.
- Single Sign-On (SSO) : Simplifie l’accès tout en réduisant les risques de compromission des mots de passe.
- Authentification Multi-Facteurs (MFA) : Augmente la sécurité avec une vérification supplémentaire (SMS, empreinte digitale, clé physique).
Backups and incident response plans
Putting in place a regular back-up strategy for HR and accounting data ensures that it can be recovered in the event of a cyber-attack. An incident response plan must also be drawn up to react effectively in the event of an attack.
Architecture built to the highest standards, tailored to the specific needs of your business
The ISO/IEC 27001 standard enables organisations to set up an information security management system and apply a risk management process tailored to their size and needs, and to adapt this system as these factors change. This is the minimum requirement.
SecNumCloud qualification is the ANSSI’s security visa for cloud service providers, attesting to the highest level of quality, security and trust in their services. Vertical Expense offers this type of hosting for customers whose businesses require the utmost confidentiality.
In conclusion
The cybersecurity of HR and accounting data is a major challenge for all businesses. By adopting advanced protection technologies, training your employees and implementing rigorous security policies, you can protect your sensitive information against growing threats. The use of secure HR and financial software is a key solution for combining performance and protection of HR data. Evidence-based archiving, combined with encryption and digital signatures, makes documents even more reliable and secure. Don’t let any vulnerability compromise the security of your organisation and sensitive HR data !
