With the increasing digitalisation of business services, the cybersecurity of HR data represents a key strategic challenge for the protection of sensitive information. Managing expense claims, payslips and employment contracts involves handling confidential information such as :
Employees’ personal data (names, addresses, social security numbers, bank details);
Details of their contracts and career paths;
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.
The strategic role of HR in cybersecurity
Human Resources play a central role in corporate cyber security. It holds sensitive HR data and interacts with a number of departments, including employees, management and IT departments (DSI, RSSI, DPO). Their cybersecurity mission rests on two essential pillars :
Protecting sensitive data : Ensuring that personal and financial data is secure against intrusion.
Raising employee awareness : training and supporting employees in adopting good cyber security practices.
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.
The importance of HR software in the cybersecurity of HR data
Specialised HR software for managing expenses, pay and holidays makes administrative management easier, but it also represents a key point in terms of the cyber security of HR data. Poorly secured or configured software can become a gateway for cyber attacks. It is therefore crucial to ensure that these tools are used securely.
Securing the use of HR software
Opt for certified solutions that comply with the RGPD : Choose software that complies with security standards and includes data encryption.
Set up secure access : Strong authentication (MFA, SSO) limits the risks of intrusion.
Carry out regular updates : These correct security flaws and reinforce the protection of HR data.
Monitor access and suspicious activity : Monitoring connections and fraud attempts is essential for detecting anomalies.
Adopt archiving with probative value : Secure archiving of HR documents, particularly expense claims, guarantees their integrity and legal compliance.
Automation via these tools improves the efficiency of HR departments, but requires constant vigilance to avoid any compromise of sensitive data.
The main cybersecurity risks for HR data
Cyber attacks 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.
Solutions to strengthen the cyber security of HR data
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.
Strong authentication and connection types
Authentication methods must be chosen according to the level of security required :
Traditional authentication (Email & Password) : To be avoided without additional security, prefer strong passwords and a password manager.
Single Sign-On (SSO) : Simplifies access while reducing the risk of passwords being compromised.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) : Increases security with additional verification (SMS, fingerprint, physical key).
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.
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 !
