Security Series 4 – Context: Increasing Employee Power

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Security Series 4 – Context: Increasing Employee Power

Topics: HRExaminer, John Sumser, by John Sumser

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“As employees are empowered and coached by technology, the damage they can do or allow to be done grows proportionally.” – John Sumser

Security Series 4 – Context: Increasing Employee Power

Meanwhile, the individual employee grows steadily more powerful. She is increasingly backed by systems that expand their own effectiveness so the employee can expand hers. Much of the design is delivered without regard to overall governance. The assumption is that the employee will know how to use and maintain the tools ethically, responsibly, and legally. With echoes of crowd sourcing as a management philosophy, the tools blandly assume that every employee works with the best interests of the company at heart.

This sets up a tension between the systems that forecast, recommend, monitor, and control and the employees that use them. Predictability and creative problem solving are almost always complementary opposites.

Any organization of substance already depends on strong capable people to run the human-to-human interfaces with employees, gig workers, suppliers, regulators, customers and other stakeholders. It also depends on conscientious technologists who monitor and implement the latest security measures. It depends on having employees who are inspired to care more about the firm today than they did yesterday.

In essence, business continuity is precisely a function of the degree to which employees are committed to the health and growth of the organization. As employees are empowered and coached by technology, the damage they can do or allow to be done grows proportionally. Employee attachment to and concern for success of the organization is the beating heart of any comprehensive security program. No pressure.

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The Security Series: HR as Security Leader

1: Overview – Why Focus Your HR Department on Security? Link »
2: Introduction Link »
3: Context – Shifting Technology Link »
4: Context – Increasing Employee Power Link »
5: The Ecosystem of Security Issues Link »
6: The Future of Security Issues Link »
7: The HR Security Center of Excellence Link »
8: Getting Started Link »

About the author

John Sumser

John Sumser is a principal analyst for HRExaminer, an independent analyst firm covering HR Technology and the intersection of people, tech, and work. John’s mix of experience over the course of his career gives him a broad and unique perspective on the industry. Like anyone trying to process a lot of information, he is two or three steps ahead in some areas and still learning about others. Sumser’s work includes deep research into the nooks and crannies of HR Technology to identify and explain rapidly evolving trends. Built on a foundation of engineering, design, and philosophy, John’s seeks to understand and advise clients on where their technology works best, for whom, and in what context. Each year, John examines the insides of hundreds of companies, their products, and ecosystems. He delivers vendor analysis by building the framework from which to deliver the critique. He is constantly connecting and making visible the front end of change. He can help you see the path of evolution and the risks on the journey. The HRExaminer is Sumser’s vehicle for understanding and explaining the inner workings of the industry. With three weekly podcasts, and written commentary, he covers emerging ideas, the state of the industry, and the executives who operate it.

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