Penetration testing is just as important to the human resources department as it is to the information technology (IT) sector. Humans often cause data breaches, which is why HR professionals with experience dealing with workers are crucial. Pen testing helps HR and IT departments identify vulnerabilities in the security system and utilize that information to enhance policies and protect current employees.
What Is Penetration Testing?
Pen tests assess a company’s current security measures and identify areas for improvement. Ethical hackers set up a fake breach by attempting to gain access to internal systems or sending fabricated emails to help HR and IT departments detect vulnerabilities in the current system. Physical pen tests determine how easy it is for attackers to tailgate into the physical building behind authorized personnel.
This testing provides insight into the enterprise’s security vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers give reports to HR that detail how many people they fooled, if workers tried to stop them, and which department or protocol demonstrated significant weaknesses. This information can provide specific guidelines for HR professionals to incorporate into the organization’s security culture.
These tests should not result in punishment. Instead, HR professionals must use the findings to refine security policies and boost awareness. They are an important training opportunity and help businesses gain valuable insight into their current security protocols, both physically and online. Staff can then utilize what they learned to modify policies and create a more cohesive security plan.
The Connection Between Cybersecurity and HR
Many cybersecurity issues occur using a form of social engineering, which involves tricking employees into performing risky tasks. Human error causes breaches 95% of the time, according to a 2024 statistic.
Some examples of social engineering attacks include phishing and pretexting. Phishing occurs when hackers send fake emails to encourage people to click on links. Pretexting involves attackers impersonating someone else to steal sensitive information. HR professionals must be aware of employees’ knowledge gaps to implement more secure protocols in the future.
HR and IT Collaboration in Pen Testing
Before the test itself, HR departments serve a critical purpose. They can establish rules with ethical hackers to ensure the test is safe. Tests that are too intense can stall workdays and create unnecessary stress on employees. HR professionals can assess ethical hackers and determine whether their approach aligns with the business’s goals and values.
Ethical hackers must also agree to delete any data after the test ends to prevent theft. They should sign non-disclosure agreements and Rules of Engagement to maintain confidentiality during the pen test. The government requires regular testing occasionally to ensure customer and employee data is secure.
HR professionals communicate the test’s overall purpose to staff, reducing apprehension. Some employees may feel the company is testing them to reveal their individual mistakes. HR needs to address these concerns, assuring that the test is just for seeing where the organization lacks training. People may then become more comfortable and view themselves as valuable participants instead of vulnerable.
IT should ensure HR is aware beforehand to prevent unnecessary workplace disruptions. If someone reports an attempted attack, HR can disregard it if they know a pen test is taking place. Once IT gathers a comprehensive report after the test, the HR department can use the information to conduct new training and onboarding processes.
What HR Should Look for in Ethical Hackers
When determining which ethical hacker to hire, HR professionals should consider the tester’s skills. Some specific certifications include Offensive Security Certified Professional and Certified Ethical Hacker.
The testers receive high-level access to a company’s system, so HR professionals should conduct background checks on the ethical hacker and the company they work for. Pen tests can be a cybersecurity vulnerability if the tester is not adequately vetted for malicious intent or suspicious activity.
How to Utilize the Test Results
After the pen test, HR professionals can use the results to develop security training that is less reactive and works toward prevention. For example, if many people clicked on the dangerous phishing link, the department can center training around identifying suspicious links. If employees allow unauthorized personnel into the building, decision-makers can emphasize the importance of not doing so.
General security may need revamping, too. If specific cybersecurity systems fail, the IT department can update and purchase new equipment with a more secure protocol. HR can inform staff about the new system and guide them as they adapt. They may need to collaborate with the IT team beforehand to ensure they accurately teach the new system.
The onboarding process could be another weakness revealed during pen testing. According to Keepnet’s 2025 New Hires Phishing Susceptibility Report, as many as 71% of new hires may fall for a social engineering attack within their first 90 days. If they are generally unaware of safe cybersecurity practices, HR should incorporate security lessons into the onboarding training. These lessons will ensure new workers are knowledgeable about safe protocols.
Also, HR typically provides new employees with temporary passwords they should change as soon as possible. If the pen test reveals multiple weak passwords, HR can teach new and existing employees how to create complex passwords that are difficult for hackers to crack.
HR and IT Teams Benefit from Penetration Testing
Cybersecurity is crucial to the IT and HR teams. Penetration testing aids HR by highlighting vulnerabilities among employees and helping them develop guidelines and training to enhance security measures and prevent future real-world attacks. HR leaders should collaborate with the IT department to conduct a thorough pen test and assess whether the company’s security protocols are robust or if they require improvement.
Zac Amos is the Features Editor at ReHack Magazine and a regular contributor at
TalentCulture, AllBusiness, and VentureBeat. He covers HR tech, cybersecurity, and AI. For
more of his work, follow him on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).