Cyber Background Checks: Screening Critical IT Staff

Nowadays, cybersecurity is a pressing concern for many organizations—digital threats are not only an issue for web-based businesses or tech giants. No industry is safe from threats such as ransomware. Some companies face an enhanced threat level. Cybersecurity professionals are a must-have to counter these threats, and selecting such employees necessitates scrutiny. Let’s explore why cyber background checks play an important role in hiring and selection.

A “cyber background check,” in this case, refers to screening professionals in the industry. Some may also use the phrase to mean a background check conducted online. In this article, we focus on cybersecurity. What’s driving the need for more staff? What challenges might you face? Finding qualified workers might be the first issue you encounter. That difficulty persists whether hiring permanent staff or a contractor.

The Critical Need for More Cybersecurity Staff

The past decade has seen the rise of new and more challenging digital threats. Simple viruses are no longer the only significant concern. Ransomware that locks down critical systems is anurgent issue. Government systems, hospitals, and more have lost access to vital systems for days. Data theft from social engineering and hacking is still rising as data brokers sell to the highest bidder. Cybercrime could cost the world $9.5 trillion in 2024 alone. As a result, most businesses are in dire need of professionals to help manage risk and improve their cyber protections.

The demand for cyber security professionals far outstrips supply. Studies suggest that the global cybersecurity workforce was short by more than 4 million in 2023, and the problem will likely persist for some time. This shortage represents a hurdle for any employer with a vacant cybersecurity role. Nonetheless, no company can afford to skip investments to secure its network. Yet, this situation can create a sense of urgency, leading to possible corner-cutting. However, it remains vital not to weaken your screening processes just to fill an essential vacancy.

Why Do Cybersecurity Staff Need Background Checks?

Cybersecurity professionals carry a considerable responsibility. Today’s systems are more complex than ever. Protecting individual computers, devices, and the broader network is just one part of the job. Monitoring for threats is another. Developing threat response plans and educating your staff on good safety practices is also critical. These workers have direct access to your most vital business systems, making it necessary to ask, “Who watches the watchmen?”

Conducting a cyber background investigation ensures applicants have the right qualifications. However, it is also a process founded on establishing trust. You must hire people who won’t put your systems at risk—or act fraudulently.

It’s almost like hiring an accounting professional. Giving someone access to your books also gives that person the potential means to steal from you. That risk is why many businesses run credit checks and confirm personal information on those who will have access to the accounts. A cybersecurity professional could also find ways to embezzleor steal sensitive information. You must make every effort to guard against those risks.

Background checks play a critical role in that process. While they can’t predict the future, they can help you identify risks today. Now isn’t the time to relaxemployment standards, even in the face of a professional shortage. Exhaustive screening is essential to identify red flags that could protect your business from a hiring mistake.

What Goes Into a Cyber Background Search?

Properly vetting a cybersecurity position for criminal records requires several thorough searches, and the purpose is twofold. First, you must confirm that applicants have the skills and abilities they claim. Second, you must look for issues that might flag a candidate as unsuitable. What tools help you build a comprehensive cyber background check? You should rely on extensive verification checks to handle the first part of this process. Those include:

• Education verification to confirm an applicant’s degree and graduation status.
• Employment verification to confirm an applicant’s experience and previous employers.
• Professional reference checks to learn about an applicant’s character.
• Professional license checks, where relevant, to verify cybersecurity capabilities.

You may also wish to implement a technical skills test to verify a good fit for your organization. Many employers don’t run employment credit checks, but it could be to your advantage to do so when hiring someone who has access to sensitive data.

Criminal background checks will explore a candidate’s broader suitability. Always follow local laws, such as those that “ban the box” when doing a people search for someone with a cyber background. You must also follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act and EEOC guidance. Remember, the EEOC stresses that employers should consider whether convictions have relevance to the job in question.

For example, youorder a national criminal background check on the individual. In due course, public records reveal they once had a conviction for a minor assault. Other examples might include petty theft or even DUI many years prior. While concerning, they may not indicate any reason for concern in an IT role. Their relevance may diminish more if they occurred many years ago without subsequent convictions.

Evidence of computer-related crimes could be worrisome. Likewise, serious felony convictions, such as grand theft, are warning signs. You should evaluate all records in context and make decisions based on your business needs. Only an employer can truly gauge an applicant’s suitability. Your goal is to discover early warnings, assess them thoroughly, and make well-informed decisions based on the intel from a background check company.

Taking the Next Steps

At backgroundchecks.com, we can help you develop a screening strategy for hiring cybersecurity staff with thorough background reports. From contractors and temporary workers to full-time employees, we assist you in hiring with all the facts in hand. Find out more today about the right approach to cyber background checks for your business. Speak with us now, or learn more about background checks first.