HR’s Expanding Role in Cyber Risk Management

Hey HR Pros!

I’m seeing more HR teams step into unfamiliar—but critical—territory: protecting the workforce from identity-based attacks.

With phishing schemes powered by AI and password breaches on the rise, people—not just systems—are now the front line of defense. And that means HR has a bigger role to play than ever before.

Upcoming In This Issue:

•  🪑 Hot-Desking Isn’t for Everyone. Here’s When It Works (and When It Doesn’t)

• 📂 Broken Files, Broken Culture? Why HR Can’t Ignore Document Dysfunction

• 💼 Passwords, Phishing, and People: HR’s Expanding Role in Cyber Risk Management

• 🎙️ Featured HR Podcast | The HR Podcast with Sarah Ropek and Claire Cathcart

Is It Time to Re-evaluate Your HR Software?

The tool that once worked for your team might now be slowing things down. If it’s creating more work than it saves, here’s how to find a better fit.

 📰 Latest in HR News

• Palantir's CEO says 'every single system is parasitic.' His solution is to hire teenagers.

• Verizon Layoffs Set to Target 15,000 Jobs as Agility and Efficiency Lead the Way

• Rising premiums ahead—can ICHRAs give HR a way out?

• ‘Lean on the law’: Attorneys urge employers to stay the course on DEI

 🪑 Hot-Desking Isn’t for Everyone. Here’s When It Works (and When It Doesn’t)

Hot-desking is pitched as a flexible, cost-saving solution—especially appealing in hybrid environments—but its actual impact on employee morale and productivity is anything but clear-cut.

In theory, hot-desking maximizes floor space and fosters collaboration. In practice, it can disrupt daily routines, erode personal comfort, and create new challenges for privacy and accessibility.

Here’s what to weigh before giving up the good old assigned desk.

Key Insights

• 💸 Reduced real estate costs come with hidden trade-offs — From collaboration hurdles to personalization loss, cost savings may impact team dynamics.

• 📊 Ideal for hybrid models, not full-time in-office teams — A fully staffed office can’t easily support hot-desking without causing logistical headaches and frustration.

• 🔐 Sensitive data becomes a challenge in shared seating — Employees handling confidential info may lack the physical privacy to work securely and comfortably.

• ♿ Accessibility is harder to guarantee for all — Rotating desks may complicate seating for employees with disabilities, especially if accommodations aren’t standardized.

(read the full 728-word article here)

📂 Broken Files, Broken Culture? Why HR Can’t Ignore Document Dysfunction

In HR, we often focus on performance, engagement, and retention—but what about the hidden workflow killers lurking in your digital toolbox?

File errors seem minor on the surface, but across teams, they compound into lost time, missed deadlines, and even burnout. According to a recent survey of U.S. employees, the emotional and financial toll of outdated or unreliable file systems is far more significant than most leaders realize.

For HR professionals, these inefficiencies undermine culture, increase stress, and can quietly push employees toward the door.

📊 Key Insights

• 🕒 23% of employees lose 4+ hours weekly to file issues — That’s over $6,700 in lost salary per employee per year, and more in finance.

• 💥 65% say fixing files is more stressful than dealing with their boss — The emotional toll is real, leading to frustration, burnout, and morale drops.

• 📉 26% have considered quitting over outdated file tools — A quarter of your workforce may be at risk over something as simple as document friction.

• 📄 60% had to rebuild files from scratch due to errors — Inaccessibility and version chaos waste time, damage confidence, and hurt client trust.

• (read the full 738-word article here)

HR LOLs

🎙️ Featured HR Podcast | The HR Podcast with Sarah Ropek and Claire Cathcart

💼 Passwords, Phishing, and People: HR’s Expanding Role in Cyber Risk Management

Cybersecurity is no longer confined to IT teams—HR now plays a pivotal role in keeping the workforce secure. With identity-based attacks spiking and AI-generated phishing tactics growing more convincing, the human element of cybersecurity has become a critical risk, and a powerful defense.

As organizations rethink security strategies, HR is stepping into the spotlight, tasked with employee training, workforce risk reduction, and trust-building in an era of constant surveillance.

Key Insights

• 📈 Identity attacks surged 32% in the first half of 2025 — 97% targeted passwords, underscoring the need for people-first security strategies.

• 💼 40% of security teams will add workforce risk roles by 2026 — HR is primed to lead on cross-functional training and culture-shaping.

• 🧠 Cybersecurity training is HR’s new superpower — Building policies and awareness around zero-trust access models helps protect employee data and trust.

• 🤝 Transparency is essential for balancing surveillance with morale — Clear communication helps employees understand monitoring while preserving a sense of autonomy.

(read the full 834-word article here)