Cyber threats are getting smarter—and more targeted. For small businesses, that makes cybersecurity everyone's responsibility, not just IT's. As attack methods evolve, collaboration between HR and IT is becoming essential to protect employee data, secure internal systems, and build a culture of digital safety from the inside out.

1. Develop and Enforce Cybersecurity Policies

Organizations with fewer employees must still establish foundational cybersecurity practices and expectations. Unfortunately, only 1% of businesses with fewer than 500 staff have assigned security professionals. The reality makes an HR team’s first responsibility imperative — design an IT department.

IT teams can relay to HR what matters most in their sector and the most prominent attack types on smaller companies. Then, HR can translate the insights into a concise format that’s accessible to all employees. HR’s one-on-one experience with team members is essential for making policies meaningful and applicable to daily operations.

They can include:

• How to use company-owned devices
• What data is necessary and where it lives
• Where to report an incident

HR staff also brainstorm enforcement measures and repercussions for violating protocols. IT workers enforce the rules by informing HR how severe the infractions are to security. The average attack surface has ballooned 1,000% in the last decade, highlighting the importance of having these guidelines in place.

2. Implement Cybersecurity Awareness Training

An internal training program puts all employees on the same level of cyber hygiene and knowledge. IT professionals recommend the best practices, and HR teams gauge the workforce's needs based on existing familiarity with digital security. They handle logistics and scheduling based on workloads and client needs.

HR will also explain each staff member’s precautionary measures based on their role. For example, a shift lead may need knowledge a cashier does not. Small companies must efficiently allocate training resources and time to have maximum immediate impact.

Lessons could cover:

• How to spot common security threats
• Tips for creating unguessable passwords
• How to avoid social engineering
• What the future of cybersecurity could look like
• How to use a virtual private network

3. Conduct Background Checks

IT and HR teams can run background checks on applicants. Managers should require additional measures for people who will handle sensitive information at work. Thorough interviews and government scans lower the risk of insider threats. IT teams can recommend the most productive background checks based on common threat types.

Small businesses often have tight-knit group dynamics, so preventing manipulative behaviors is essential.

4. Manage Employee Access and Permissions

HR management is vital in every phase of an employee’s tenure, from onboarding to exit interviews. They tell IT when to grant or remove access to programs and buildings based on their role or employment status.

Small businesses must consider these modifications, especially in high-turnover industries like retail. Allowing a former employee to maintain access to a storage unit or corporate email inbox is a breach concern.

Additionally, ensuring employees only have access to what they need for their jobs is crucial for tighter security. It removes the just-in-case mentality and establishes a stronger culture of accountability by showing the team the effort required for comprehensive protection. Surveys show 74% of workers would approve a security bypass if it helped achieve a corporate goal. Limiting and overseeing as much as possible would lower this sentiment.

5. Audit Incident Response Procedures

Long-term defenses rely on continuous improvement. HR and IT teams accomplish this by scheduling evaluations of their cybersecurity policies and incident response plans.

Audits can look like mock drills, updated training and employee surveys to collect feedback. Response plans are living documents that need alterations based on the current cybersecurity landscape.

Regular reviews also empower team members by increasing their confidence and responsiveness during a potential threat. HR teams measure emotional well-being and communication, while IT performs the technical aspects.

Cybersecurity From All Perspectives

Hackers will find attack surfaces more challenging to breach if teams work together. HR departments have employee insights and expertise IT teams lack, and vice versa. The combined knowledge compensates for oversights, primarily in small- to medium-sized organizations. Fortune 500s are no longer the only targets of breaches and incidents, so prioritizing these measures is a critical goal for the coming quarter.

Suggested Reads:

• What HR Teams Need To Know About Cybersecurity In The Metaverse
• Practical HR Tips For Small Business Owners

Author Bio

Zachary Amos is a Tech Expert with a special interest in HR technology, automation, and cybersecurity.

Error: No such template "/CustomCode/topleader/category"!