HR and data security, a strategic duo for hospitals
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Published on
30 May 2025
HR data security – The digital transformation has revolutionized the hospital sector, introducing innovative tools for human resource management (HRM), data processing, and information technology (IT) systems. However, this digitalization has also increased data breaches, raising concerns about privacy regulations and data security policies for healthcare organizations.
What if we told you that cybersecurity policies are not just an IT concern but also a human resource management responsibility? After all, the best data encryption technologies are ineffective if employees are not trained to identify potential breaches, manage risk assessment effectively, or follow best practices for access control and compliance with privacy laws. A robust cybersecurity strategy must include employee awareness, multi-factor authentication, and secure password management to safeguard sensitive employee data and comply with global privacy regulations.
Why is cybersecurity an HR issue ?
Imagine this scenario : an employee receives an urgent email requesting login credentials to an HRIS system for real-time personnel management. Without questioning its legitimacy, they click the link, enter their credentials… and unknowingly facilitate an identity theft breach. Within seconds, sensitive employee data, medical records, and payroll details are compromised.
This type of attack (phishing), is one of the most common security vulnerabilities in the healthcare industry.
Why are hospitals prime targets for cyberattacks ?
The health insurance sector is highly exposed to data breaches, and hospitals are at the forefront of risk management. Among the most frequent threats, phishing attacks remain a significant business risk, exploiting employee fatigue, lack of authentication procedures, and poor change management practices.
INFO POINT :
Healthcare cyberattacks are a global privacy concern, with serious legal liabilities for hospitals.
- In Belgium, a study reveals that 65% of hospitals have suffered a data breach, highlighting privacy concerns and regulatory gaps (source : Media-Sphere).
- In Africa, ransomware events and data extortion breaches are escalating, demonstrating the necessity of comprehensive security measures (Magazine de l’Afrique).
- Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of rising cyber threats, affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of critical health data.
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Highly valuable sensitive Data
Hospitals hold high-risk, confidential information that is attractive to third-party vendors, cybercriminals, and malicious actors:
- Sensitive employee data, including social security numbers, tax details, and payroll information
- HR data security, protecting applicant records, job certifications, and employee data protection
- Financial and medical records, requiring data masking and encryption measures
These data can be stolen, transferred, or misused, leading to penalties, legal liabilities, and consumer trust damage.
A High-Pressure environment, a breeding ground for Errors
In a hospital, every second counts. Between urgent care, remote personnel management, and daily risk assessment procedures, HR departments and medical teams are under pressure. This increases the likelihood of common threats.
According to figures shared by Kaspersky during the Gitex Africa 2025 event, over 60% of hospitals in Africa were targeted by phishing or ransomware attempts in the past year. Alarmingly, one in three experienced major service disruptions due to these attacks — directly impacting patient care and operational continuity. These figures reinforce the urgency of proactive cybersecurity strategies and the central role HR departments must play in building digital resilience.
Here’s a typical scenario:
A doctor receives an urgent email requesting an update to their HR application access. Under time constraints, they click a link without verifying its source and enter their credentials. Instantly, a hacker gains unauthorized vendor-level permissions and accesses sensitive information.
This highlights why regular training, penetration testing, and vulnerability scans should be implemented as proactive cybersecurity measures.
Interconnected and interdependent systems
Hospitals rely on HR information systems (HRIS) and data processing platforms, including :
- Data encryption solutions
- Security policies for personnel management
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for data access
- Penetration testing and vulnerability scans
If a single HR data security measure fails—such as a stolen credential, weak data privacy laws compliance, or mismanaged permissions—the entire information system becomes compromised.
👉 A breach notification delay can allow a hacker to conduct detailed investigations, exploiting common vulnerabilities.
Securing sensitive HR data is a priority
With Popay, protect your confidential information through strict protocols, a secure infrastructure, and expert teams.
HR : The first line of defense against cyberattacks
HR plays a crucial role in safeguarding confidential data. How?
- ✔ Smart Access Management Implement role-based authentication so that HR managers, business units, and department heads have appropriate access levels.
- ✔ Training and Awareness Even with the best security policies, untrained employees are the biggest risk factor. Regular cybersecurity awareness sessions, penetration testing, and compliance audits are necessary.
- ✔ Securing HR Tools HR applications must comply with privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and United States health
Popay : A partner for secure and resilient HR digitalization
HR data protection is critical for ensuring compliance with global privacy laws. This was precisely the challenge faced by Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B), which merged three institutions into a unified HR system for over 6,000 employees.
During the deployment of the new HRIS system, a data breach event occurred, exposing critical employee information. This incident highlighted the necessity of real-time breach response and risk management.
Thanks to Popay’s expertise, H.U.B successfully implemented :
- ✔ Advanced encryption and authentication measures
- ✔ A transparent and secured HR framework
- ✔ Incident response policies that enhanced operational integrity
Popay ensures that HR processes remain robust, effective, and compliant with national and international data privacy laws.
Cybersecurity and HR : A holistic approach
Cybersecurity is more than just firewalls and password policies. It begins with proactive risk assessments, data encryption measures, and strong security governance.
Other High-Risk Sectors for Cyber Threats :
- Banking & Finance – requiring strong authentication and compliance with privacy laws
- Industry & Infrastructure – ensuring HR data security in industrial control systems
- Government & Public Administration – maintaining compliance with GDPR and other regulatory standards
- Retail & E-commerce – implementing data masking and privacy-enhancing technologies
Popay : A Trusted Partner for Secured HR Digitalization
Across all industries, HRIS security policies must be proactively managed to prevent data breaches, financial damage, and compliance risks.
Popay supports global organizations in enhancing HR security through advanced authentication, encryption, and privacy protection solutions.
Cyber threats are evolving, and securing your HR systems is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Whether you need to protect employee data, ensure compliance with global privacy regulations, or mitigate security risks, taking action now will save your organization from breaches, penalties, and reputational damage.
With increasing cyber threats, organizations must implement proactive measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and access control to ensure data protection and compliance. Managing sensitive employee data requires robust security policies, regular penetration testing, and comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities before they lead to major data breaches.
Take the first step towards a secured and compliant HR environment. Contact us today and let’s build a resilient cybersecurity strategy together.
