(And It’s Not Their Fault)
When businesses think about cybersecurity risk, they often picture hackers, ransomware, or sophisticated phishing attacks. But one of the most common — and overlooked — security risks starts on day one:
A new employee.
Not because they’re careless.
Not because they’re malicious.
But because onboarding and offboarding processes often leave dangerous gaps.
If those gaps aren’t managed properly, they can quietly expose your organization to unnecessary risk.
Why New Employees Create Security Risk
Every time someone joins your team, access expands:
- Email accounts
- File shares
- Cloud applications
- CRM systems
- Financial platforms
- Remote access tools
- Administrative permissions
Without structured processes, access can quickly spiral into what security professionals call access sprawl — more permissions than necessary, granted too quickly, and rarely reviewed. Over time, this creates hidden vulnerabilities across your organization.
Access Sprawl: When Permissions Multiply
In many businesses, new hires are given access “just in case” they might need it.
The problem?
Those permissions are rarely revisited.
Employees change roles. Responsibilities shift. Projects end. But access often remains.
The result:
- Too many people with elevated permissions
- Sensitive data accessible to unnecessary users
- Increased risk if credentials are compromised
The principle of least privilege, giving users only the access they truly need, is often missing in growing organizations.
Shared Passwords and Informal Workarounds
It’s more common than most leaders realize:
- Shared logins for software tools
- Sticky notes with passwords
- Credentials stored in spreadsheets
- Generic “admin” accounts used by multiple people
These practices may seem harmless in a busy workplace, but they eliminate accountability and create major security blind spots.
If a breach occurs, there’s no way to determine who accessed what — or when.
Former Employees with Active Access
One of the biggest risks isn’t new employees, it is former ones. When offboarding processes aren’t tightly controlled, former team members may retain:
- Email access
- VPN or remote login credentials
- Cloud application permissions
- Shared drive access
- Administrative privileges
Even if the individual has no malicious intent, dormant accounts are prime targets for attackers.
Cybercriminals actively scan for unused credentials and orphaned accounts because they’re easier to exploit.
Shadow IT: The Tools IT Doesn’t Know About
New employees often bring their own habits and tools:
- Personal file-sharing apps
- Unapproved project management platforms
- AI tools
- Messaging apps
- Personal cloud storage
Without visibility and policies in place, sensitive company data can quietly move outside your secure environment. This is known as shadow IT — and it grows quickly in fast-moving organizations.
Phishing: The First Test Most Employees Fail
Even well-meaning employees can fall victim to phishing emails — especially during their first few weeks on the job when they’re unfamiliar with internal processes.
Attackers often target new employees because:
- They don’t recognize leadership names
- They aren’t familiar with payment workflows
- They want to make a good impression
- They respond quickly to authority
Without proper security awareness training, the risk increases significantly.
How Managed IT and Security Training Close the Gaps
Technology alone doesn’t solve onboarding and offboarding risk. Processes do.
A proactive managed IT partner helps businesses build structured, repeatable systems that protect the organization at every stage of the employee lifecycle. This includes:
- Structured Onboarding Checklists
- Role-based access controls
- Least-privilege permissions
- Secure device configuration
- MFA enrollment
Secure Offboarding Procedures
- Immediate credential deactivation
- Access removal across all platforms
- Device recovery and reset
- Account audit verification
Ongoing Access Reviews
- Regular permission audits
- Administrative account monitoring
- Dormant account cleanup
Security Awareness Training & Phishing Simulations
Citynet offers comprehensive security awareness training that helps employees recognize and report threats before damage occurs. Through simulated phishing campaigns, ongoing education, and measurable reporting, businesses gain:
- Reduced click rates over time
- Increased threat reporting
- Stronger security culture
- Documentation to support compliance and cyber insurance
Instead of hoping employees make the right choice, organizations can actively train them to do so.
Your Employees Aren’t the Problem. Unmanaged Processes Are
New employees are not a liability. In fact, they’re one of your greatest assets.
But without structured onboarding, offboarding, and security awareness programs, businesses unintentionally create risk at the exact moment they’re trying to grow.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and antivirus software. It’s about managing people, permissions, and processes with intention.
Citynet Can Help
Citynet helps businesses build secure onboarding and offboarding systems, implement role-based access controls, and deliver ongoing security awareness training that reduces human risk over time.
Because the strongest cybersecurity strategy protects both your technology and your people.
Connect with us and let’s start a conversation on how we can help.
