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Top 5 Misconceptions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida

Group of miniature businessmen figures standing on piles of coins, illustrating payroll and financial management for small businesses.

Why Payroll Is a Prime Target for Cyberattacks

 

The digital space is continuing to grow and evolve every day. With so much of life conducted online, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal information from vulnerability.

 

Payroll systems, however, have become a prime target for cyberattacks. They contain some of the most confidential employee information that a business manages—including Social Security Numbers, tax identification numbers, addresses, salaries, and direct deposit information. A single breach can expose hundreds of records—if not more—leading to financial fraud, identity theft, and compliance violations.

 

Cybercriminals may not even need to break into a company’s system to gain information. They may simply trick an employee into handing over credentials or clicking on a malicious link, making payroll fraud prevention crucial for any business. It’s essential for business owners, HR managers, and IT directors to know how to protect their employees and prevent data breaches.

 

Let’s dive into the types of threats facing payroll systems today, what businesses risk without proper security, and how PEOPayGo prioritizes cybersecurity in payroll services.

 

Types of Threats Facing Payroll Systems Today

 

There are many types of threats facing businesses that may not even require a hacker to gain access to their payroll system. Let’s take a look at some of the most common cybersecurity threats.

 

Phishing

 

Phishing scams occur when cybercriminals trick individuals into providing sensitive information. Many attackers will impersonate someone from the HR or IT department and send fake emails to employees to steal their login credentials.

 

Ransomware

 

Hackers may use malicious software to lock payroll systems until a ransom is paid. If the company chooses not to pay the ransom, the cybercriminals may leak the stolen data.

 

Insider Threats

 

Insider threats come from the organization itself rather than someone outside of it. Unhappy employees or contractors could misuse their access to payroll data.

 

Insecure Integrations

 

In some cases, attackers find poorly secured third-party apps connected to the payroll systems and take advantage of those vulnerabilities to get the information they want.

 

Weak Passwords

 

When employees create weak passwords or fail to use the multi-factor authentication, it makes it far easier for hackers to guess their credentials and break in.

 

What Businesses Risk Without Proper Security

 

A lack of security can have a major negative impact on a company. Here are some of the things that businesses risk when they don’t have proper security in place.

 

Financial Loss

 

Companies can face significant financial losses during an employee data breach. From incident response and legal fees to lost revenue and reputational damage, the impact of financial loss on a company can be drastic.

 

Employee Trust

When personal information is compromised, employees may lose confidence in their employer. When trust dwindles in the workplace, employees tend to walk away.

 

Operational Downtime

 

The financial loss and legal consequences that stem from compromised payroll systems could result in payroll delays and operational downtime.

 

How PEOPayGo Prioritizes Cybersecurity in Payroll Services

 

Professional employer organizations (PEOs) take on the administrative tasks of businesses like payroll, workers’ compensation, benefits administration, and risk management. Because they’re regularly handling sensitive employee information, cybersecurity is essential. Here’s how PEOPayGo prioritizes security in their payroll services.

 

End-to-End Encryption

 

This is a security method that ensures when messages are sent via their platform, only the sender and receiver can read them.

 

Multi-Factor Authentication

 

By requiring more than one form of identification, multi-factor authentication ensures only verified users can access payroll systems.

 

Regular Security Audits

 

Trusted PEOs want to make sure they’re in compliance with industry regulations and best practices. PEOPayGo undergoes third-party security audits in order to maintain that standard.

 

Role-Based Access Control

 

Ensuring permissions are granted based on user roles means a lower possibility of security threats from within the company.

 

Employee Training and Awareness

 

PEOPayGo implements training programs that help keep employees educated on how to spot phishing attacks and manage payroll securely.

 

Secure Your Payroll Data with PEOPayGo’s Trusted Protection

 

A payroll breach can be detrimental to your company. When you partner with a trusted PEO like PEOPayGo, you can rest assured that your systems are secure. If you’re ready to secure your payroll data with PEOPayGo, reach out to their team of experts today.

 

Contact us today to get the coverage and support you need!

Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, workers’ compensation insurance is a great way to help ensure that you’re financially protected if a workplace injury occurs. In some instances, common myths about workers’ comp can deter employers from getting it for their employees or deter employees from seeking the help they need. Keep reading to learn about the top 5 misconceptions about workers’ compensation in Florida.

Myth #1: Workers’ Compensation is Too Expensive for Small Businesses.

Though traditional workers’ compensation policies can be costly for small businesses, there are other options. Professional employer organizations (PEOs) offer affordable workers’ compensation insurance with a pay-as-you-go approach.

 

Some small businesses hire people on a project-to-project basis, meaning they won’t need workers’ comp coverage indefinitely, but only for a limited time. The flexibility of PEO workers’ comp often works well for small businesses that need something more specific to their industry with the option for short-term policies. Choosing a pay-as-you-go program means you’ll only pay for what you need.

Myth #2: I’m not eligible for workers’ comp if the accident was my fault.

Workers’ compensation is meant to protect you from any accidents that take place while you’re on the job—whether or not you’re technically at fault. However, you may not be eligible for compensation if you’re injured due to your own recklessness at work. If you’re found to have been intoxicated from drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred, you likely won’t qualify for benefits.

Myth #3: Only large corporations need workers’ compensation insurance.

Depending on the size of your business, the industry of work you’re in will likely dictate whether or not workers’ compensation is needed. Though in some states, small businesses aren’t legally required to have workers’ compensation, it’s always a good idea to have it. No matter how close you are with your employees, if someone gets injured at work, they can still sue you for damages. It’s far better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a potential lawsuit.

 

Additionally, in the incredibly unfortunate event that one of your employees dies from their injuries, their family members can choose to sue. Even with very few employees, workers’ comp can help protect your employees as well as you and your business financially in the event an injury occurs.

Myth #4: I could get fired if I try to seek compensation for an injury.

If you have a workplace injury, it’s your right to seek the compensation you deserve. In some cases, people who are injured on the job don’t seek compensation for their injury for fear of being fired or treated poorly at work. If you seek compensation after a workplace accident and your employer retaliates with negative treatment at work or fires you unjustly, it’s crucial that you file a complaint. You can reach out at a state or even federal level if this takes place.

Myth #5: I didn’t get medical care right away so now it’s too late.

Though it is your safest bet to get medical care right away, it’s also understandable that the adrenaline from the accident may initially mask any injuries. It is crucial that you at least notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible—at least within the first thirty days of it taking place. When you do, include as many details as possible in terms of your injuries. Mention everything you can, even if the sensations you feel are mild. It can sometimes take days or weeks for pain to really sink in after an accident.

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