How HR Departments Can Help Employees Follow Cybersecurity Best Practices
Put Policies in Place
HR departments love policies. In fact, it is their job to make sure everyone in a business is following company protocol. To write an effective policy, cyber safety best practices should be clearly laid out for all employees. That way all staff members are aware of the best practices and the consequences that would happen if they choose not to follow them.
As part of the HR department, you should work with the IT team to implement the proper policies and procedures in detail. While many of your employees might be aware of some of these best practices, don’t be afraid to provide more detail on what you think might be common sense. It’s better to provide extra information instead of leaving your employees confused.
Install Software to Company Devices
Many people may not think this responsibility is under HR’s umbrella, but it’s important that HR be involved in enforcing procedures pertaining to all employees. Every company computer should come equipped with the proper antivirus software. Not every antivirus software provider is created equal, so work with your IT department to find the right one that fits your company.
Antivirus software often comes in a suite form, and can include antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and many other software. These days, cybercriminals are smarter than ever and have been able to find so many different tactics for stealing valuable information. With this in mind, do your research and consult your CEO and IT team.
Implement Staff Training
While policies might be enough in some cases, you might want to also consider implementing extended cybersecurity training for all staff members. As mentioned, the cybersecurity world is fast-paced and changing all the time, and it can be difficult to keep up on the latest technology and cyber-threats.
Employees have a responsibility to avoid cybercriminal tactics and keep the company secure, but first, they need to know what these threats might look like. For example, not everyone will know the difference between a real email and a phishing email. As the HR department, you should make sure all employees know what to look for.
In your employee training, make sure you follow training best practices by keeping to an agenda, knowing your employee’s learning styles, and using visual aids. This way you can make sure that you get through to your staff and there’s no chance you’ll have glazed over eyes during training sessions.
HR team members have a responsibility in keeping their companies running smoothly, and cybersecurity has a big role to play in this. By using the proper software and keeping your employees in the know, your chances for a data breach will be significantly lowered. If your HR department follows these tips, you can help make your workplace a cyber-safer place.
