Businesses are consistently turning to software solutions to manage their employee benefits. In particular, for U.S. organizations, their leading value proposition for staff is remuneration packages. Overall these remuneration packages most commonly comprise payroll, annual leave, 401K pension payments and additional industrial entitlements, and health insurance.
In essence, the benefits managed and delivered through these human resources (HR) software systems are highly important to employees. Fundamentally then, these platforms need to be comprehensive, robust, and secure. Emphatically speaking, because these platforms handle sensitive private user data there needs to be reliably secure data storage.
So with this expanding software vertical of health insurance enrollment software, what are the technical features that make platforms secure?
Now let’s dive into this HCM software market currently exceeding $22 billion USD and how it’s helping businesses achieve goals.
To begin, let’s review this market and why it’s a core type of enterprise software. Right now, Verified Market Research found that the HCM market is growing at a CAGR of 37.82% for 2023-2030. Because this software incorporates and streamlines countless HR and business tasks it’s enabling more productive, secure, and compliant organizations.
Cision PR Newswire explains that the crucial value of this software vertical lies in how it optimizes operations. “HCM software and services streamline critical processes such as sourcing, hiring, payroll, candidate monitoring, staff scheduling, and time and attendance management, leading to enhanced workforce efficiency and productivity.” Then the software delivers macro benefits of driving organizational growth through better workflows, security, and improving daily tasks.
Now that we’ve reviewed the general HCM software vertical we’ll turn to the specifics of health insurance enrollment software.
Above all, it’s important to note that although all business markets have changed post-pandemic, health is profoundly affected. For example, McKinsey reports that U.S. health benefits for employees and organizations are shifting in response to two factors. These are inflation and endemic Covid-19 that lead to businesses considering benefits cuts from fully-insured to self-insured. Therefore it can be considered that businesses need their benefits offerings to be recession resistant while ensuring user data security.
Another aspect to this that is relevant is how employees approach their benefits entitlements. Even if businesses are able to offer comprehensive and competitive benefits packages, these need to be easily accessible to employees. Hence using software systems that are accessible, user-friendly, and employees are encouraged to use is paramount. What’s more, data shows that attraction and retention are core priorities for 75% of U.S. employers. Moreover, a Pew Research study found that 43% of U.S. workers left jobs in 2021 because benefits weren’t good.
When businesses are onboarding their staff members to HCM software platforms, a high volume of sensitive data is being handled. Because health data is sensitive, personal in nature, and individuals can be identifiable by it, systems need to be trustworthy. Furthermore, they need to be demonstrably secure and practices need to be sustained to protect both workers and entire organizations.
Employees nearly always have to submit extensive personal information as part of their onboarding process. For example, HR typically requires their first and last name, date of birth, contact details and home address for databases.
Highly confidential personal staff information around payroll, annual leave, and retirement payments will be documented across financial departments. Due to how employees receive this pay, how they take their leave, and where they’re at in their professional timeline, this information remaining private is important.
When employees enroll in their employer’s benefits program, they can maximize a range of health and lifestyle offers. Not only is this personal information but also if employees are accessing more sensitive services then they’re likely avoiding disclosures.
Though seemingly innocuous, the type of feedback and KPI data gathered through HCM systems should rightfully remain confidential. Generally most correspondence and professional now happens through software so secure storage for even this less-identifying data is paramount.
Overall HCM software — particularly around health insurance enrollment — is designed to be highly secure. Further to this, core software features are engineered to support businesses in their compliance responsibilities. This applies to legal data protections for both their employee data and any other stakeholder data.
When employee health data is stored in health insurance enrollment software, businesses must adhere to regional and national data regulations. While businesses are aware of the European Union’s GDPR laws (General Data Protection Regulation), this differs for U.S. organizations. Right now, U.S. states like California and Colorado have specific privacy/data protection laws however there’s no federal law. Therefore, businesses are working to stay ahead of widespread changes to data protection for general risk management and future changes.
The entire system should have comprehensive security engineering. This value proposition facilitates quality assurance that tests that software will withstand attack and protect data.
Because the majority of modern HCM systems are not centrally deployed they’re harder to attack and business servers aren’t used. While this reduces attack vectors, it also mitigates the risk of old systems being a sitting duck for cyberattacks.
When businesses are storing highly-sensitive user health data they should check if their system meets health compliance security criteria. For example, ADP AdvancedMD Electronic Health Record Software has ONC-ATCB certification.
Most HCM software automatically encrypts data so users must be authorized to access files and user records.
In line with data encryption, MFA and password standards fortify data security so that all user activity is managed. When software has these settings it maintains another layer of security that deters criminals and protects data plus data owners.
Systems that only allow authorized users to access specific data are much less vulnerable than those with open access. The combination of limited access and high-level authentication requirements work to deter bad actors and also minimize any errors.
Following on from access is how most systems will have an audit trail that records access events and user activity. Though this might not deter a user who wishes to enact a one-time event, this helps risk manage and resolve issues. As an accountability tool this also streamlines compliance obligations and other core business operations.
Unlike other software systems, this era of HCM software is engineered for modern operations and data security. Thus older databases are neither fit for purpose to handle open enrollment processes nor the challenges of data breaches.
Due to the rising risks around cybersecurity and how cyberattacks try to exploit user data for extortion or financial hacks this type of enterprise software must be robust and secure. Consequently how health insurance enrollment software incorporates compliance features to adhere to complex regulations and standards makes it highly valuable. Subsequently using software that meets the highest standard of global best practice is a strong strategy that protects stakeholder interests.
Additionally with remote and hybrid teams businesses likely don’t have the existing cybersecurity infrastructure to handle more complex threats. Basically cybersecurity threats are increasing because criminals see an opportunity with overloaded and underperforming systems to exploit weak spots. When there’s highly sensitive private health information capable of breaching, it makes sense to opt for modern cloud-based systems. By design, health insurance enrollment software works via cloud or web as a reliably secure database system.
Equally using HCM software that adheres to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prioritize data security helps, too. For the most part, HIPAA-compliant software is what U.S. businesses need in their health insurance enrollment software. In order to check this, businesses should risk assess their software features in advance of inputting employee data. Properly deploying HCM software set-up in consultation with a development company is part of this risk assessment. Then HR employees and management can focus on how they onboard all team members to immediately establish data security.
Undeniably then health insurance enrollment software is designed to effectively and reliably secure user data for organizations of all sizes. Indeed the infrastructure can help businesses stay secure, manage risks, and adhere to compliance responsibilities.
Nonetheless, there is another angle to the technology features in this software that makes a significant difference: UX and UI. As workplaces shift with a new, younger generation, People Matters emphasizes that HR needs to factor in digital experience. Further to this, they explicitly attest, “…HR departments need to enable employees with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.” With this focus on UX/UI and the rising risks of user data breaches, software features pivotally shape security practices.
With the in-built intelligent features including AI, algorithmic, and machine learning functionalities, UX can be personalized. Further to this, the UX and UI can be predictive to prompt security-oriented behaviors. Whether with pop-ups that suggest password changes or making security processes easy, consistent functionalities support data protection practices.
Security practices that go beyond the user ensure that they’re empowered to uphold the aspects within their control. For instance, most HCM software is cloud-based and designed for security integrity freeing users to focus on their responsibilities. Even so, the remote security features are part of their processes so they are able to adhere to best practice.
A leading feature of HCM software is how this supports staff training. Both onboarding and ongoing skill development are embedded in the platforms so users can complete self-directed training. Additionally they can easily undertake mandatory training. As this is an interactive component of these systems this promotes consistency in practice and advanced skill finessing. Because this is all in-system it can support business processes around security, data management, and organizational standards.
Digital hygiene requires both systematic and processes of user accountability. When employees work with a UX/UI requiring digital hygiene in access and ongoing security standards this becomes organizational culture. Not only does this create individual and collective accountability but also it makes everyone a contributor to data security. Equally this helps eliminate data leaks or weak links in software systems.
Simple, user-centric navigation additionally supports a UX/UI that promotes secure user data. Because employees can effortlessly find their core entitlements information, enroll in benefits, and engage with HR services, security is maintained. Specifically all security protocols can be remembered and upheld when every other part of the UX is straightforward. Otherwise it’s laborious to complete tasks and users approach access without care or respect for overall standards.
Freeing users to work on their preferred devices — mobile, desktop, tablet — across locations can also foster positive security practices. Although this can introduce weakness points, generally HCM systems are designed for multi-device integration and security. When businesses trust their staff to work responsibly and personalize with integrated systems and third-party productivity tools, positivity ensues. Consequently, the consistent platform design and security infrastructure ensures best practice while facilitating a workplace that’s productive with data integrity.
Overall it’s difficult to empirically quantify or qualify if this definitively makes user data more secure. Nonetheless People Matters illuminates that happy employees focused on UX/UI in professional tools see positive outcomes in most areas. “Technology that boosts self-service, gives employees greater flexibility can not only increase adoption rates, it can also help ensure digital transformation success, and consequently ROI.”
So we largely know that security features are comprehensive and these tools have a focus on protecting user data. Undoubtedly businesses need to be looking at their user data security needs and how they encourage security at every level.
Moreover the U.S. International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) promote organizations building a culture of privacy. This takes privacy principles and compliance technologies then marries them with training, policies, and strategy. Aaron Weller and Emily Leach implore that, “A culture of privacy provides a shared understanding of how personal data can and should be used to support broader strategic objectives.” Instead of total software dependence — including UX/UI benefits — businesses need a holistic user data approach for health insurance enrollment.
Lastly businesses still need vigilance around threats to user data in their health insurance enrollment software. Both internal and external threats are legitimate issues that cost businesses millions while also potentially affecting employee welfare and safety. As per 2022 figures, Harvard Business Review reports that “data breaches arising from insider threats and simple mishaps can cost businesses an average of $7.5 million annually”.
Employees may be coerced either passively or actively to disclose their data or organizational data to bad actors. Should this happen then both the user and their colleagues are vulnerable to extortion, impersonation, and direct theft. In order to risk manage this, businesses need to ensure their staff understand phishing threats and how to recognize them. Additionally it’s relevant to make clear to users that every person’s data is valuable and a dynamic asset.
Systems becoming infected from these attacks can lead to widespread infection, destabilizing, and breaches. Afterwards this can lead to business losses and personal impact. Protecting data in this case involves users being conscientious around what they download the networks they’re joining to access software.
Chiefly this is risky in any business context as every person can make mistakes that lead to data becoming compromised. Before this happens, businesses need to educate and train their teams around how to avoid damaging and costly errors. For instance, designing and implementing privacy culture to protect data and eliminating risky behaviors. Also businesses need to share risk management knowledge among teams to ensure every employee understands best practice risk management. Concurrently automating certain security principles such as multi-factor authentication and mandatory strong password resets helps eliminate risk.
Finally access weakness exists when businesses are lax around protecting their systems on an access level. For example, not restricting access to data or letting legacy systems stagnate without software re-engineering both create points. Therefore evaluating access as a vital line of defense in HCM software ensures all team members understand their credentials. At the same time, businesses should regularly audit access points and data trails to check for weaknesses then resolve these.
In conclusion, the health insurance software technology market is likely going to continue its growth into the foreseeable future. Both the advent of smarter technologies and digital transformation in HR practices make this a logical turn of events across industries. Comparatively the user data volume being handled is also exponentially growing and with rising threats, businesses need to protect stakeholders. Understanding threats and how to protect users is fundamental.
Though businesses might have established systems or they’re changing platforms, working with experienced HCM software experts like A3logics is beneficial. Start with a consultation to learn about new system features and options specific to the business. Whether for a full custom software solution or a roadmap strategy, begin with expert input to plan an effective implementation.
Health insurance enrollment software is the same as HCM software. For businesses and organizations, these platforms incorporate core HR and benefits processes.
This software includes:
To evaluate what’s needed, meet with HCM software development company for a comprehensive consultation.
Due to the software system design, these platforms are innately highly secure and cloud-based or web products. Therefore user data is securely managed and encrypted through best practice security systems. When businesses seek to upgrade their HR system, they subsequently have products with integrated, secure databases with restricted access.
For businesses across all industries, health insurance enrollment software is suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is also suitable for large enterprises. Although businesses with a smaller than average employee team (less than five employees) may not find the software entirely necessary, it’s still beneficial for technical advantages, security, and comprehensive features.
A leading benefit of health insurance enrollment software is how it supports compliance for regional and international legislation. When U.S. businesses are operating in that region, they need to be aware that privacy regulation is not federal. Subsequently, businesses in the U.S. should check if their HCM software is HIPAA-compliant. In order to check this in detail, meet with an experienced health insurance enrollment software development company while also reviewing compliance obligations.
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