Comprehensive training and development strategies are the most effective line of defence against cybercrime in the recruitment sector.
This is according to leading talent management consultancy, Alexander Mann Solutions. In an analysis carried out by its Global Compliance Function, the firm revealed that cyber security is one of the top five risks facing RPO firms and the wider sector in the coming year - and awareness is the key to prevention.
The advice comes following reports that there has been a 33% increase in the cost of cybercrimes across all sectors since 2016, with ‘human-enabled insider threats’ now accounting for more than 90% of all incidents.
Commenting on the research, Paul Watters, the company’s Global Head of Compliance said: “The recent boom in digital adoption and technological innovation means that opportunities to infiltrate company systems and data are increasing. Given the nature of our sector, and the volume of candidate information processed, it is crucial that we ensure that this data is well protected.
“However, while technology, of course, plays a significant role in defending against cyber-attacks, staff training and development is crucial to success and education is key to preventing such occurrences. Here at Alexander Mann Solutions we have devised appropriate policy and processes which focus heavily on building awareness. This is designed to be consumable, up-to-date and presented in bite-sized chunks so that people can take it in their stride while delivering in their day jobs.
“There’s no doubt that the world of global talent acquisition and management is becoming increasingly complex and cyber-threats are just one of a number of risks that companies delivering in this space face. However, with strong strategies in place, businesses can improve their organisational health while protecting objectives, reputation and revenues.”
In 2017, an IT sector survey found that one fifth of businesses across the island of Ireland had been held ransom to criminals over that year, and in 2018 research by Barclays found that one in six Northern Irish businesses had been targeted by cybercriminals.
Source: Written from press release
