Introduction
With the pace at which the digital world is changing the business environment, it also poses a significant risk of cyber attacks. The role of IT departments in cybersecurity is still very important, but the fact is, that HR should now also be playing a more prominent role. The HR professionals working with sensitive employee information are well-positioned to empower the organizational culture, employee behavioral change, and compliance implementation. The most examples of insider threats and human error as main reasons for data breaches prove that the involvement of HR in the cybersecurity awareness and risk mitigation is simply the necessity.
Cybersecurity has evolved and now it is not just a technical matter but it is a person-centered issue. The study reveals that 62% of the leaders of organizations are of the opinion that the most significant cybersecurity threats come from employees who have done reckless acts unfortunately rather than hacker attacks. Since many employees are working remotely and using their own devices for professional tasks, the HR department ought to play a leading role in decision-making, identifying risks, advocating for good habits, and raising digital literacy in the workforce.
Cybersecurity education sets the road for HR's obligations to raise the awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. HR may give employees a toolkit to help them detect phishing scams, obey password guidelines, and recognize digital risks by including cybersecurity training in the onboarding and continuous learning curricula. According to the survey, the execution of clear policies with frequent practice and prompting is crucial in terms of awareness development. Particularly, brand-new employees would seem the most susceptible to cyber-attacks and, therefore, should firmly grasp the cybersecurity rules and requirements from the very first day.
Employee data access and control is also another significant responsibility of HR. HR departments are the ones who manage very sensitive information—such as bank details, IDs, and medical records—that makes them the favorite spots for hackers. The article discusses access management policies as a key issue. Restrictions according to job roles should be implemented by HR and access should be withdrawn immediately when the employee leaves the organization. Besides, tools such as IP rotation, tracking applications, and protected data storage can both prevent the threat coming from insiders and reduce the risk of unintended disclosure of information.
Security policy formation and enforcement also fall within HR’s scope. This includes vetting candidates during recruitment, conducting background checks, and ensuring employees sign codes of conduct related to digital behavior. HR must collaborate with IT and legal teams to define consequences for policy violations, which can range from disciplinary action to legal proceedings. Such integration supports both proactive and reactive cyber risk management strategies
The task of HR is also developing a culture that is aware of cybersecurity. As a department that has the most employees contact, HR is in charge of setting rules for acceptable digital behavior. A preemptive HR function is not only the means of dissemination of information, but it also becomes the method of creating the accountability as part of the security by tying the adherence to cybersecurity to the review of the performance and incentive systems. In addition, the HR division can be of help to the IT sector during some of the exercises of simulated cyber incident response, that is, while the communication, legal compliance, and employee management sectors are in agreement during the work of the crisis.
(Menaka, 2022)
Conclusion
Human error remains one of the greatest vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. Therefore, HR staff members have a major position to take on educative, supervisory, and managerial roles of the workforce in their quest to minimize the digital risk. HR is top-notch in terms of onboarding and exit; thus, in the process of creating a cybersecurity culture.
Reference
Menaka, R. (2022). A study on role of human resources in cyber security in India – With special reference to cyber risk management. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(2), 4495–4501.
Abrahams, A., Farayola, O., Kaggwa, P., Uwaoma, E., Hassan, M. & Dawodu, P. (2024) 'Cybersecurity awareness and education programs: A review of employee engagement and accountability', Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(1), pp. 100-119.
Anonymous (2025) 'Cybersecurity awareness in HR: Protecting employee data in the digital era', ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389482610_Cybersecurity_Awareness_In_HR_Protecting_Employee_Data_in_the_Digital_Era (Accessed: 4 August 2025).
Anonymous (2025) 'Cybersecurity in HR tech: A review of data privacy challenges in the digital HR ecosystem', ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393228472_Cybersecurity_in_HR_Tech_A_Review_of_Data_Privacy_Challenges_in_the_Digital_HR_Ecosystem (Accessed: 4 August 2025).
The data access to new employees or exiting employees should be given based on their hierarchy level and not every employee able post and approve the facts.So we can limit the access to sensitive Data and avoiding cyber attacks
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion as an IT professional, even though the message is communicated by HRM, it doesn’t seem to effectively convince employees of how critical this issue is. Awareness can be strengthened through strategies such as mandatory training, regular awareness sessions, and scheduled drills that simulate scam alerts, phishing emails, and other real-life scenarios.
ReplyDeleteThe problem often isn’t a lack of awareness, but rather negligence and carelessness. People tend to underestimate the value of information—until they lose control of it. However, we must continue to educate and remind each other every now and then.
Better to have at least three references
ReplyDeleteAs a working employee, I truly appreciate the insights shared in this blog post. This is a timely reminder that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT responsibility – it is a shared responsibility, and that HR has an important role to play. Especially in a country like ours where digital transformation is accelerating across the public and private sectors, HR involvement in employee awareness, data security, and policy enforcement is crucial. Building a security-conscious culture through HR-led initiatives can really make a difference in reducing insider threats and human error. A very informative and thoughtful read!
ReplyDeleteReally loved this blog — it brings up such an important point that we don’t hear often enough: cybersecurity is no longer just an IT department issue, it’s a people issue. It makes total sense that HR, with its access to sensitive data and close connection to employees, should take a more active role.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked how the blog highlighted the importance of onboarding when it comes to cybersecurity awareness. New hires are usually the most vulnerable, so teaching good habits right from the start can go a long way. And the idea of HR working closely with IT and legal to shape and enforce policies feels very practical.
It would be great to see more around how HR can keep remote or hybrid teams engaged with cybersecurity in the long run — maybe through fun training sessions, regular refreshers, or even little challenges to keep it top of mind.
Overall, a really insightful read! It’s a good reminder that a strong cybersecurity culture really starts with people — and HR is in the perfect position to lead that. Thanks for shedding light on this!
A very relevant and thought-provoking post! Human error truly is a major cybersecurity risk, and it’s great to see the critical role of HR being emphasized in this context. By embedding cybersecurity awareness into onboarding, training, and even exit processes, HR can help foster a strong security-first culture across the organization. Educating employees at all levels is no longer optional—it’s a necessity in today’s digital landscape
ReplyDeleteAs someone who believes in the power of proactive HR, I see HR's role in cybersecurity awareness and digital risk mitigation as crucial. HR isn’t just about people management anymore—it’s about fostering a culture of digital responsibility. By training employees, enforcing policies, and partnering with IT, HR becomes a key line of defense against cyber threats in today’s digital workplace.
ReplyDeleteYour timely post on HR's contribution to cybersecurity awareness and digital risk mitigation is excellent. I like how you emphasized HR's vital role in informing staff members about cyberthreats and encouraging safe online conduct. Maintaining trust and safeguarding organizational data require incorporating cybersecurity into HR strategies. I appreciate you bringing attention to this crucial but frequently disregarded area of HR management.
ReplyDeleteThis blog effectively highlights HR’s crucial role in Sri Lankan workplaces for cybersecurity awareness and risk mitigation. It rightly emphasizes training, access control, and cultural change. However, it could improve by discussing challenges like limited cybersecurity expertise within HR and recommending capacity-building measures specific to local SMEs.
ReplyDelete