Blog

Human Risk and The Employee Lifecycle

by | Apr 3, 2025 | Blog

Human Resources (HR) play a critical role in identifying and mitigating human risks throughout the Employee Lifecycle (ELC). By understanding employment fraud activities such as falsified credentials, insider threats, and data security breaches, HR professionals can proactively protect their organizations.

Our latest eBook explores how each stage of the ELC presents unique human risk exposures, and how HR and security teams can work together to implement robust processes, enhance employee training, and safeguard sensitive data — ensuring the company can mitigate evolving human threats.

Here’s a preview of what’s inside:

Stage 1 – Recruitment

Recruitment is the first stage in the ELC, and while it offers the opportunity to identify top talent, it also introduces risks that can threaten an organization’s security, including misrepresented qualifications, accidental information sharing, and overlooked red flags.

Stage 2 – Onboarding

Onboarding is a pivotal phase where employees gain access to critical systems and sensitive information. If mishandled, it can open doors to human risk, such as excessive access, use of unsecured personal devices, and lack of awareness around security policies.

Stage 3 – Engagement

Employee engagement plays a vital role in shaping an organization’s culture, productivity, and overall morale. However, disengaged employees do not just underperform, they may become lax about security policies, disgruntled, or even escalate to becoming insider threats.

Stage 4 – Learning & Development

Learning and development programs empower employees, but also expose the organization to risks if knowledge or skills are misused. Conversely, when training doesn’t happen, employees may lack the skills needed for the job function which may lead to inadvertent release of sensitive data or failure to adhere to critical security controls.

Stage 5 – Offboarding

The offboarding process is critical to prevent data leaks, mitigate insider threats, and maintain a positive employer brand. Failing to revoke access can lead to breaches, data theft, or the destruction of critical information.

What’s Next?

Managing human risk across the ELC isn’t just about prevention — it’s about building a more resilient organization. Our full guide goes deeper into how to proactively address each phase, featuring:
  • Key risks to monitor and address
  • HR-led solutions for mitigating risks
  • Strategies for partnering with the security team
  • Real-world case studies illustrating human risks throughout the ELC
  • Checklists for taking actionable steps

“HR plays an essential role in identifying and reducing human risks throughout the entire employee lifecycle. From recruitment to offboarding, HR ensures a proactive approach to addressing challenges early on, and fostering a culture of trust, support, and resilience. By managing risks at every stage, HR helps build a stronger, more sustainable organization where both employees and the business can thrive.”

– Magen Gicinto, SVP of People Strategy and Culture

About the Author

As the SVP, People Strategy and Culture at Nisos, Magen has over 20 years of experience in developing and executing strategic programs and initiatives that support the growth, engagement, and performance of the company’s employees, clients, investors, and mission. She holds a SHRM-SCP certification and has experience in public, private equity and commercial organizations.

About Nisos®

Nisos is a trusted digital investigations partner specializing in unmasking human risk. We operate as an extension of security, risk, legal, people strategy, and trust and safety teams to protect their people and their business. Our open source intelligence services help enterprise teams mitigate risk, make critical decisions, and impose real world consequences. For more information, visit: https://nisos.com.