Security threats are big headache for any organization, and no one is exempted from them – thinking so, would in fact, prove to be foolish on your part. Although it is only a probability, a security issue if and when arises can prove to be a very expensive and time consuming problem.
Common security risks that any organization faces
In order to understand the need to improve security in your organization, let us take a look at five most common sources that could trigger a major security issue.
• Employee privileges:
Right from the lowest ranking worker up to the highest can be a security threat depending on their level of access and the privileges they get upon gaining employment. This is especially true if an employee changes position or leaves the job, but still retains their rights for some reason. That thread can easily be manipulated to cause a threat to security.
• Third party access:
As we ride the wave of globalization and openness, we also increase the chances of a security problem. The more internal access a third party worker has in any form, the greater the risk they pose.
• Hacking and ‘hacktivism’:
The lower your defences are, the higher the possibility that a hacker or hacktivist (a hacker who hacks systems for purposes of activism of some sort, typically social or political) will see you as a gullible target.
• Social manipulation:
However well-meaning your employees are, they can be victims of social manipulation. An attacker well-versed in social engineering can easily deceive your employee, who can inadvertently give them access.
• Negligence:
If any employee so much as leaves their professional (including confidential) belongings lying around, or fails to check up on log reports and the likes, it could pose as a risk.
Understanding the security risks
A look at the top sources of a security issue in your organization, should tell you just how important it is to check up on employees – both before and after they have secured a position. These problems are complications simply because employees are human. Since they are individuals with diverse fortes and weaknesses and manifestations of the same, they can falter, overlook details and so on. Even the most diligent, hard-working and well-intentioned employee is a security risk, at whatever level they work. This, however, cannot be avoided or circumvented.
Hence, in order to improve your organization’s security, you must take steps to minimise the risk as far as possible.
How background verification helps
Background verification is a comprehensive check that not only verifies the authenticity of the credentials that a candidate provides in their application, or the achievements that an employee lists in their periodic report, but also their character. Aspects that a background verification incorporates include education verification, previous employment verification, address verification, reference verification, social media scan (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and criminal verification.
A background check may also include information on the person’s financial history and a drug/alcohol test to confirm the physical fitness for the job, if needed.
It is therefore a holistic option that serves to promote transparency among individuals and organizations.
