Electronic Filing

Cybersecurity threats are no longer limited to faceless hackers from outside an organization. In many cases, the danger is much closer to home. A former employee, a disgruntled team member, or even a simple internal misstep can expose your organization to significant risks. These insider threats can compromise everything from employee files to payroll records, putting your compliance, reputation, and operations in serious jeopardy.

No industry is safe. In fact, DynaFile serves industries such as education, healthcare, human resources, aviation, legal, financial services, and others where secure document management is critical. Consequently, regardless of your field, insider breaches are becoming increasingly common, sophisticated, and damaging.

Real Incidents That Hit Close to Home

Here are several recent examples of insider-related data breaches. Specifically, these incidents demonstrate how both intentional misuse and internal errors can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, they underscore the importance of secure document controls, strict access policies, and a robust offboarding process.

Pegasus Airline Employee Exposes 23 Million Files

An employee at Pegasus Airlines improperly configured a cloud storage bucket, making confidential flight charts, crew data, plaintext passwords, and other sensitive materials accessible online.

900 U.S. Schools Impacted by Student Data Breach

The National Student Clearinghouse confirmed a breach caused by a compromised file transfer tool. As a result, student data from nearly 900 schools was exposed because internal access controls were not properly managed.

Credit Union Employee Deletes 21 Gigabytes in Retaliation

Following the employee’s termination, they deleted 21 gigabytes of data, including customer mortgage files and anti-ransomware tools. As a result, the credit union experienced significant business disruption.

Disney Accuses Fired Employee Of Hacking Menus

A terminated employee allegedly gained unauthorized access to the menu systems of a global entertainment company, modifying allergen data on its platform. This act of retaliation could have posed serious health and legal risks.

Twitter/X Insider Leaks 2.8 Billion Profiles

A disgruntled former employee allegedly leaked a massive data dump containing 2.8 billion Twitter profiles. The exposed data included user information dating back to the platform’s early days.

Kill Switch Attack Cripples Ohio Software Firm

An ex-employee of an Ohio-based company deployed a “kill switch” malware after being restructured out of their role. The sabotage caused major disruptions and significant recovery costs.

Internal Misconfiguration Exposes 31 Million Patient Records

A massive healthcare breach occurred when a medical software platform failed to properly configure its security settings, resulting in more than 31 million patient records being publicly accessible. The exposure did not stem from malicious intent but instead resulted from an internal oversight. This breach example serves as a clear reminder that insider threats can arise from negligence just as easily as from deliberate actions.

Supporting Research: Insider Threats Are Rising

Recent research from Binghamton University found that organizations are significantly more vulnerable to data breaches during layoffs or staff transitions. Improper offboarding was a significant factor in elevated risk.

Additionally, a report from Security Info Watch revealed that 44 percent of organizations experienced an increase in insider threat activity over the past year, particularly associated with employee exits.

CIMCOR also tracks internal breach cases across sectors, showing that human error and negligence remain leading causes of exposure.

HR’s Role in Preventing Insider Breaches

Human Resources departments manage some of the most sensitive records in an organization. When internal systems lack proper controls or monitoring, they become easy targets for exploitation. Whether intentional or accidental, insider errors can lead to significant compliance violations and costly incidents.

Common vulnerabilities include:

• Poor or delayed offboarding procedures
• Unsecured or misconfigured cloud storage
• Lack of visibility into file access and activity
• There is no system for tracking employee permissions or usage

These risks increase in environments that rely on outdated paper-based processes or generic cloud storage platforms lacking HR-specific safeguards.

How DynaFile Stops Insider Threats Before They Start

DynaFile is a secure cloud-based document management system built for HR and operations teams. It helps organizations take control of sensitive files and reduce the risk of insider threats through key features designed for proactive protection.

• Granular Role Permissions: Only authorized team members can access specific files based on their department, role, or credentials. This granular control limits exposure and keeps data protected.
• Complete Audit Trails: Audit trails provide a real-time record of file access and activity, promoting accountability and facilitating the early identification of suspicious behavior.
• Automated Offboarding Workflows: No manual steps are required, and access is immediately revoked upon an employee’s departure, reducing the risk of oversight or delay.
• Secure Cloud Configuration: DynaFile’s cloud environment utilizes encryption, strict authentication, and configuration protocols to prevent accidental exposure or unauthorized file access.

Ready to Lock Down Your HR Files?

Insider threats continue to grow. Consequently, if your HR team is still using paper files, shared drives, or outdated systems, you may be exposing your organization to avoidable risk.

With DynaFile, you can:

• Protect sensitive employee and organizational data
• Automate access controls and offboarding procedures
• Reduce your exposure to internal and external threats
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations like HIPAA, FERPA, and GDPR
• Tailor access controls, permissions, and audit capabilities to your specific industry, policies, and audit requirements
• Streamline your HR workflows securely

Every organization is different. DynaFile offers a highly customizable solution that fits the way your team works and supports your specific document management needs.

Take control before an insider does. Schedule your demo today.

Insider Threats and HR Security: FAQs