Cyber attacks are unwelcome attempts at stealing important information, which can be scary for any business. Recruitment technology is especially vulnerable to malicious activity due to the huge amount of sensitive data. So which measures can you put in place to protect your recruitment tech?
What threats are there to recruitment technology?
A recruitment business is particularly susceptible to hackers. They hold valuable information like bank details, passport scans, location, contact information and education regarding clients or candidates. Let’s have a look at some examples of threats in recruitment technology.
1. Malware
Malware is like a computer virus that aims to damage servers or networks. During the first half of 2022, the number of malware attacks reached 2.8 billion worldwide. All companies should install anti-virus software programs and firewalls to prevent these attacks from happening.
2. DDoS attacks
A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack takes down email networks, websites, and other programs connected to the company’s internet. Hackers tend to break your data system, which stops a recruitment agency from receiving candidate applications and operating basic functions.
3. Phishing
Phishing is fraudulent activity that poses risks to usernames, passwords, and credit card information. These malicious groups pretend to be legitimate organisations that communicate with recruitment agencies via email, making it easier to bring down their services through links.
4. Ransomware
Ransomware is another type of virus software that stops recruitment agencies from accessing computer systems. This means they can gather crucial information through emails and websites before blackmailing the company to pay for candidate data to be returned safely and quickly.
5. Outdated software
Outdated software exposes a recruitment agency to hackers. Certain operating systems may lack security updates throughout the year. To improve the candidate experience and prevent cyber attacks, always upgrade your software when implementing protective measures.
Why is it relevant to keep an eye out for security?
All teams in a recruitment agency should be aware of security risks. This can help employees understand what not to do when viewing high-risk emails. Most cyber attacks occur because of human errors, so it’s important to prevent this by teaching individuals about user access.
Cybercrime is estimated to cost worldwide companies 10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
Did you know that cybercrime is estimated to cost worldwide companies 10.5 trillion annually by 2025? Of course, this is a daunting figure, but implementing the right protective strategies is essential. You should always encourage teams to be more careful on their computer systems.
Which cyber attacks have taken place?
The continuous development of digital recruitment is important for technical security. However, moving candidate enrollment to online services is a big win for hackers. In recent years, HR companies like PageUp had a security breach that left thousands of personal details exposed. Some details comprise names, street addresses, telephone numbers, specific genders and the birthdays of all potential candidates in their online system. Adecco Group, another recruitment company, suffered from an extensive data leak that exposed 5 million user accounts. Certain information like full names, date of birth, email addresses, logins and ID numbers left users with countless scam messages in their emails. Suffice to say: the threat is real.
How can threats be minimised?
Protecting your candidates and recruitment agency requires a few simple steps. Implementing safe-proof systems could stop hackers from targeting your digital platforms. Below are some effective strategies that can ensure cyber attacks don’t threaten candidates and employees.
1. Education about cybersecurity
Educating team members about cybercrime is the first thing you should do. They need to know what phishing emails look like and how they might appear authentic. As long as the HR department and other employees are aware of cyber attacks there won’t be human errors.
2. Regulate policies and procedures
You need to clearly define policies and procedures in the company. They should be constantly updated to match recent technology and recruitment assessment tools. This is especially important for remote work that requires strict guidelines and monitored support. Some companies even ban mobile phones in the workplace. Employees have access to valuable information that can easily be documented on another device. Always communicate company policy by stating that sharing personal data on social media is forbidden.
3. Secure communication
Candidates should not be asked to reveal personal information during their first interview. This protects their privacy throughout the recruitment process. Remember that phishing occurs in emails, so aim to encrypt all messaging services when speaking to new job applicants.
4. Find a strong VPN
VPN is a virtual private network that connects you to the internet anonymously. All team members should use a VPN to prevent hackers from tracking their history. This network stops data leaks and accidental breaches from ruining your entire recruitment agency.
Secure your recruitment technology
Securing your recruitment technology requires education and acknowledgement. Find the right systems that prevent hackers from targeting personal information. There’s nothing worse than losing sensitive data, so act now before tech security becomes a cybercrime. And since technology and its subsequent cyber attacks are an ever-evolving phenomenon, keep your eye out for more insights on technical development and candidate experiences.
