In the present digital business ecosystem, cyber attacks are no longer limited to traditional industries such as banking or healthcare. A growing number of cybercriminals are targeting a less apparent but highly data-rich vertical — business relocation and employee mobility services. Organizations facing data breach like Graebel Companies, Inc. handle sensitive financial, employment, and identification information, making their client data extremely valuable to hackers targeting personally identifiable information (PII). 

Where the Data Goldmine Is Overlooked 

Whenever organizations relocate employees from state to state or country to country, relocation companies typically become the hub for the interplay of personal and corporate data. Relocation companies process all types of information ranging from Social Security numbers and addresses to payroll information, medical coverage, and travel documents. Every relocation of an employee will leave behind a digital trail that can be exploited if not protected. 

Unlike some other industries that have an established framework and best practice to protect from cyber threats, relocation companies often rely on a web of third-party systems, contractors, and global partners. These companies are one of the most interconnected industries, which creates more opportunity to exploit weaknesses without appropriate access controls or systems that might not be outdated or trustworthy.

Reasons Hackers are Paying Attention

From the point of view of the hacker, relocation companies have two appealing factors: high-value data and a high degree of complexity in its handling. Cybercriminals understand that all it takes is one successful breach for thousands of employee records to get exposed, across a multitude of corporate clients. In addition, many relocation firms utilize cloud-based file sharing and legacy management systems that could likely lack up-to-date encryption methods or real-time monitoring features.

The sensitive nature of the data also leaves room for financial fraud, identity theft, or business email compromise (BEC) schemes. Once accessed, stolen data can be sold for profit on the dark net or used to create a very believable phishing campaign directed at employers or employees for the hiring process.

Legal and Compliance Risk

A data breach involving personally identifiable information (PII), or financial records could expose a relocation company to significant legal risk. Depending on where the affected individuals reside, companies could find themselves in investigations under state data breach notification laws; and potentially face negligence or violation of privacy claims.

Those impacted may also find they are able to file a data breach claim if it can be demonstrated that the company did not adequately initiate reasonable security practices. Working with an experienced data breach attorney in the USA can help affected parties understand their rights, evaluate potential harm, and determine whether compensation is warranted for losses related to identity theft or data misuse.

The Path to Improved Safety

To reduce exposure, relocation and mobility organizations will want to ramp up their overall cyber security posture in several key areas:

• Data Minimization: Collect only the information needed for the relocation assignment, and properly and securely dispose of it once services are finished.
• Vendor Risk Management: Implement a regular way of assessing third-party partners to enforce adhering to data security standards.
• Zero-Trust Architecture: Limit access internally to sensitive data, and implement a multi-factor authentication methodology for due diligence for all systems.
• Incident Response Planning: Keep a tested response plan in place that assures a quick containment of damages and quick notification of breached parties.
• Employee Training: Educate that employees actually know if something is attempted phishing of data or otherwise, and teach all staff best practices for data handling.

A Wake-Up Call for the Industry

The recent breaches that have occurred across diverse industries – including relocation and HR service providers have revealed a common truth; cybercriminals will go where the data is. Business relocation firms may have never thought of themselves at the center of the cyber security conversation but the volume and sensitivity of data they handle qualify them as key custodians of digital trust.

As global mobility continues to grow, these firms will need to invest in proactive measures to secure-compliance and practicing cyber security measures. A breach — in addition to disruption of business practices — will irreparably compromise client confidence and corporate reputation.

In a data-driven world, safeguarding information is no longer a back-office task — it’s a core part of doing business responsibly.