Cybersecurity is critical in today’s landscape. While often overlooked in this area, HR professionals play a critical role in fostering a security-conscious culture. Because they’re embedded within every stage of an employee’s journey, they’re in an ideal position to effectively contribute to cybersecurity awareness programs.
1. Onboarding and New Hire Training
HR professionals are at the forefront of a new hire’s integration into a company since onboarding and training typically fall under their purview. As such, they help initiate employees into the wider organizational culture, including the company’s cybersecurity posture.
Initial topics related to cybersecurity, such as password security, phishing prevention and data protection, can be folded into onboarding and new hire training. Covering these key topics can establish expectations early on and ensure that new team members don’t inadvertently create opportunities for cybercriminals.
2. Developing and Implementing Cybersecurity Policies
While cybersecurity policy development and implementation are often the responsibility of IT departments, there are significant benefits in cross-departmental collaboration between IT and HR. If IT’s solutions are too complex, they risk alienating employees who struggle to integrate the best practices into their daily workflows and routines.
HR can combine its human-centric experience with IT’s technical expertise to create robust systems that actually work. Cybersecurity policies that cover acceptable use, data handling and incident reporting should provide strong protection while making compliance realistic and accessible for employees.
3. Ongoing Training and Awareness Campaigns
Cybersecurity is more than just checking a box — it’s an ongoing effort that requires re-educating employees and updating policies as threats evolve and become more sophisticated with advanced technologies, such as AI. While AI can benefit organizations, it also poses new threats, such as deepfakes.
Insufficient cybersecurity staffing is the greatest challenge to defending against AI-based threats. However, only 11% of security leaders plan to prioritize hiring over the next 12 months. By participating in raising cybersecurity awareness, HR can enhance its company’s defenses in light of IT hiring gaps and advanced threats.
While ongoing training should remind employees of foundational policies, it should also address evolving and contemporary threats, such as social engineering, deepfakes and increasingly evasive phishing techniques. HR can design and deliver this training through engaging methods, such as online modules, workshops and simulations.
4. Communication and Engagement Strategies
HR can use internal communication channels to promote cybersecurity awareness. Newsletters, posters and articles shared on the company’s internal channels can reinforce key messages. Communication should always be clear and empathetic, especially since employees may have varying levels of familiarity with cybersecurity threats.
Active listening and feedback loops are also key to effective communication and ensuring employee engagement. HR professionals should hear what’s working and what’s causing any friction. This is essential to creating a responsive and continually improving program, but it also engages employees by showing them that they are a valuable part of the team.
5. Incident Response and Reporting
Any good cybersecurity program must involve reporting protocols, not just preventive measures. HR can educate employees on how to report security incidents, whether the incident is a full-blown attack or a suspicious email.
The reporting process must be clear and confidential. Since over 90% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error, workers may be hesitant to report incidents if they feel it could jeopardize their job or if they are embarrassed about making a mistake. Confidential systems assure employees that their information is private, encouraging greater engagement.
Practical Steps for HR to Enhance Cybersecurity Awareness
Here are actionable steps HR professionals can take to improve their organization’s cybersecurity posture and ongoing awareness:
- Conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment: Collaborate with IT to identify potential security risks associated with employee behavior. Use surveys and interviews to assess current employee knowledge and attitudes toward cybersecurity.
- Tailor training to specific roles and departments: Customize training programs to address the unique security risks faced by different roles and departments. Use role-playing exercises and simulations to reinforce learning.
- Use gamification and incentives: Enhance cybersecurity training by incorporating gamification and offering incentives for maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture. Points, badges and leaderboards can motivate employees.
- Measure the effectiveness of training programs: Track employee participation in awareness programs and use quizzes, surveys and simulations to assess knowledge and behavior change.
- Partner with IT and security teams: Work with IT and security teams to develop and implement effective cybersecurity awareness programs. Establish regular communication and promote cross-departmental information sharing.
Overcoming Implementation Challenges
While cybersecurity awareness programs help protect client and company data and prevent financial and reputational fallout, HR may still face some implementation challenges, which can hold up plans or adversely impact their effectiveness.
Employee Apathy
Transparent communication is essential for addressing employee resistance or apathy. HR should ensure employees receive training on current cybersecurity risks, their causes and consequences. Providing evidence-based education and encouraging workers to see their critical role in upholding the company’s cybersecurity standards can increase motivation. In addition, gamification and incentives make the awareness program more engaging.
Lack of Time
Employees may worry that they don’t have the time to learn cybersecurity rules, much less uphold them as they go about their busy days. Leadership support can make a significant difference — management should ensure employees have sufficient time for training and adopting new approaches. They should also participate in training and model healthy security behaviors themselves.
Budget Constraints
Budgetary limits can slow down plans. However, there are several ways to overcome funding constraints. HR professionals should highlight ROI by framing cybersecurity awareness as a cost-saving, risk-mitigation strategy in conversations with senior management. Globally, a data breach costs $4.4 million on average. This justifies investing in an organization-wide training program.
Other ways to reduce spending include:
- Integrating cybersecurity awareness into existing employee training programs.
- Starting with a pilot program before expanding it and making a significant investment.
- Leveraging free online resources, like webinars, articles or infographics.
- Partnering with third-party vendors to access high-quality training materials.
- Identifying events with low attendance or less successful training programs whose funds could be reallocated for more effective use.
HR’s Strategic Contribution to Cybersecurity
HR’s expertise in communication and training, responsibility for policy enforcement and compliance, and role in shaping organizational culture make them essential to cybersecurity awareness programs.
Professionals in HR should prioritize the five areas in which they can have the most impact, implement practical steps and proactively resolve common challenges to raise cybersecurity awareness in their organization. Continuous improvement can ensure behaviors stick and keep pace with evolving threats.
