Ransomware attacks are on the rise. Tuesday, a massive ransomware attack hit global businesses around the world. Last month, the worldwide cyberattack WannaCry affected more than 300,000 computers in over 150 countries. These are just the latest in a string of cybersecurity incidents that have threatened not only the confidentiality of company information, but the very ability of companies to conduct their day-to-day operations.
At our recent 27th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar, I spoke about the critical components of a company’s cybersecurity plan. I also discussed how an effective cybersecurity program requires participation and buy-in from various departments in an organization, and Human Resources is a critical component of that effort. More than 50% of all security breaches are caused by company employees. Many hackers target people inside the organization by tricking them into granting access to information or secure areas. Other threats result from careless employee mistakes, such as logging onto an unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspot.
You can read about the steps HR can take to protect a company in my article for the June 2017 edition of the Florida Employment Law Letter, “Cyberwarfare in the workplace: HR on the front lines.” Implementing these measures can play a critical role in an organization’s ability to prevent and respond to cybersecurity threats.