Making sure sensitive identifying information is safe and secure isn’t only something individuals need to worry about on their own. It’s also something the people or organizations, including employers, storing that information for individuals should be concerned about. Here are six tips for keeping your employees’ identities secure.
- Invest in a Multi-functional Identity Security Platform
It’s a good idea for a business owner to invest in an identity security tool that covers as much of the network and as many vulnerable spots as possible, especially parts of your network where sensitive information is stored. Make sure the tool is capable of protecting sensitive employee information, at all levels of employment. Cybercriminals may try to access employee information for multiple reasons, including identity theft and blackmail. They have many tools and strategies at their disposal to do so. To counteract these risks, you need multi-functional tools with expansive protections in place.
- Educate Your Employees
One of the most effective methods of protecting sensitive employee information is to educate your employees about identity protection. Make sure your security policy is easily accessible to employees to review. Develop a digital workplace education program that places special emphasis on what employees can do to protect their information, your business’s data and the information of customers and other employees. Employees need to be aware of what tools are in place to protect them, how to use those tools effectively and what else they can do to improve or maintain effective security.
- Implement Strict Security Policies And Procedures
A strict cybersecurity policy with easily understood procedures is another effective tool in your identity protection and data security strategy. Include all procedures and tips for following them in the policy, including those for digital data and physical documents. Make sure all employees are aware of the consequences of violating the policy. Review the policy regularly and update it according to changes or advancements in security technology or best practices. The policy should be easily accessible to all employees, but certain procedures may not apply to every employee.
- Include Identity Theft Protections in Employee Benefits Packages
You can include identity theft protection options for employees in their benefits packages. Proactive employers incorporate these options so employees’ identities can be better protected both at home and in the workplace. Most identity theft protection isn’t software. It’s a service provided by cybersecurity or identity protection experts that monitors a person’s credit reports for suspicious activity and the internet for unusual activity performed in the person’s name.
- Secure Employee Record Storage And Access
Access to digital and physical employee records should be restricted to those who require that access. Tools such as multifactor authentication and network segmentation can aid in this. Make sure employees are aware of what data they’re permitted to access. Managers, for example, may need to access their employees’ performance records but are unlikely to need access to their employees’ addresses. Record storage should be similarly secured. Physical records should be in locked areas with restricted access and fire safety protocols in place. Digital records should be kept behind firewalls and stored on devices unconnected to the network.
- Follow Best Practices for Digital Security in Your Industry
While a large number of cybersecurity and data protection tools and strategies are universal, each industry has individual best practices, too. Universal best practices include securing physical access to computers and other tools, educating employees, securing internet connections, automating software updates and security scans, securing data storage and using tools such as firewalls and VPNs. Study your industry’s best practices and incorporate them into your security policy.
An employer likely has a large amount of sensitive employee information on file. As an employer, you must ensure the safety and security of such information to protect your employees and their assets. It isn’t possible to completely avoid the risk of a data breach, but there are many things you can do to minimize that risk as much as possible.
