In the evolving landscape of data privacy, particularly with GDPR in mind, discussions around data storage and security are more critical than ever. For Human Resources Management (HRM) software solutions, protecting sensitive employee data is paramount. Yet, a common misconception persists, often fueled by competitors, that using major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is inherently less secure or non-compliant with GDPR compared to local IT storage providers.

Let’s be clear: this notion is not only inaccurate but can lead businesses down a path of heightened risk. While the desire to support local businesses is understandable, the reality of IT security in the 21st century demands a different perspective. When it comes to safeguarding your valuable HR data, global cloud leaders consistently outmatch most local providers in their security capabilities and infrastructure.

Recent events in the Nordics serve as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities that can exist with local or smaller-scale IT providers. The high-profile hacking incidents at Tietoevry and Miljödata, for instance, demonstrate that even established local players are not immune to sophisticated cyberattacks. These incidents underscore a critical truth: simply being ”local” does not equate to ”safer.” In fact, it can often be the opposite.

The sheer scale, resources, and expertise that AWS, Azure, and GCP dedicate to security are simply unparalleled by most regional data centers. These tech giants operate on a global level, serving millions of customers, including governments, financial institutions, and multinational corporations with the most stringent security requirements. This necessitates an investment in security infrastructure, personnel, and protocols that far exceeds what a local provider, no matter how well-intentioned, can typically offer.

Consider the economics: A local provider might have a team of a few dozen IT security specialists. AWS, on the other hand, employs thousands of world-class security engineers, cryptographers, and compliance experts, working 24/7 to protect their vast infrastructure. This level of specialization and continuous vigilance is a luxury that few, if any, local providers can afford.

Furthermore, these cloud providers have built their entire business model around trust and security. Their reputation hinges on their ability to protect customer data. This drives a relentless pursuit of innovation in security, constant threat monitoring, and rapid response to emerging vulnerabilities. They are not just meeting industry standards; they are often setting them.

Here are just a few examples of the robust security measures that Amazon AWS provides, illustrating why they offer a far more secure environment for your HR data:

• Global Infrastructure Security: AWS data centers are protected by multiple layers of physical security, including sophisticated access controls, surveillance, and highly trained security personnel. These facilities are designed with redundancy and resilience to ensure continuous operation and data integrity.
• Data Encryption at Rest and in Transit: All data stored on AWS can be encrypted at rest using strong encryption algorithms (like AES-256), and data transmitted between your applications and AWS, or between AWS services, is protected using TLS/SSL encryption. You have full control over your encryption keys.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): AWS IAM allows you to precisely control who can access your AWS resources and what actions they can perform. This includes multi-factor authentication (MFA), fine-grained permissions, and temporary security credentials, ensuring only authorized users and applications can interact with your HR data.
• Network Security: AWS provides sophisticated network security features, including Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) that allow you to define isolated networks, security groups and Network Access Control Lists (NACLs) for granular traffic filtering, and AWS Shield for DDoS protection.
• Continuous Monitoring and Logging: AWS offers a suite of services like CloudTrail and CloudWatch that provide comprehensive logging and monitoring of all API activity and resource usage. This allows for continuous auditing, real-time threat detection, and forensic analysis, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Compliance and Certifications: AWS rigorously adheres to and is regularly audited against a vast array of global security and privacy certifications and compliance standards, including GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 1, 2, and 3, HIPAA, and many more. This commitment provides a strong framework for demonstrating your own compliance.
• Dedicated Security Teams: AWS employs a large team of security experts who constantly monitor for threats, respond to incidents, and develop new security features. This proactive approach ensures that their infrastructure remains resilient against the latest cyber threats.

While the appeal of ’local’ might resonate culturally, when it comes to the highly sensitive nature of HR data and the stringent requirements of GDPR, the pragmatic choice leans heavily towards the established security expertise of global cloud providers. They offer a level of protection, redundancy, and continuous improvement that most local providers simply cannot match. For an HRM software solution like Heartpace HR, which is also ISO 27001:2022 certified, partnering with these cloud giants isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about making a responsible and strategic decision to provide the highest possible level of security for your employees’ invaluable data. At Heartpace HR, we always put security and the reality for our customers before feelings about how things should or could be.

Henrik Dannert

CEO