Payroll Security: Safeguarding Sensitive Employee Information
Let’s get one thing straight: payroll isn’t just about printing checks and making sure Bob in IT gets paid for his mysterious “server maintenance” at 2 a.m. It’s also about protecting one of the most sensitive sets of data a company holds— employee information . You mess this up, and it's not just a headache. It's identity theft, lawsuits, fines, and awkward breakroom conversations. As an accountant who’s had to explain to a CEO why we had a phishing incident titled “Free Pizza Friday,” I’m here to save you some gray hairs. Let’s talk payroll security—and how to make sure your system is Fort Knox, not a paper house in a windstorm. 1. Lock It Down: Use Strong Access Controls Payroll data isn’t party information. Not everyone in the company should be able to see how much Sheila in marketing gets paid (especially not Sheila’s ex, who works in finance). Only authorized personnel should have access—and they should log in like they’re entering a missile silo. Pro Tip: Use role-...