Corporate sustainability without security is only rhetoric and, in the WFM (Workforce Management) market, trust is won with evidence. In companies that operate with thousands of employees and sensitive information, protecting data and ensuring the integrity of processes is as essential as scaling teams or meeting the determinations of labor legislation.
According to Cost of Data Breach Report 2025, IBM global research in partnership with the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach reached US$ 4.44 million, involving financial losses, reputational impact and critical downtime. Even if there is a 9% retraction in relation to 2024, driven by the agile identification and containment of possible developments, it is still an alarming number. In WFM platforms, where sensitive scales and data circulate, such as health status, biometrics and personal identification data of thousands of professionals, having a certified solution guarantees the best practices of Information Security, ensuring the privacy and protection of these data, essential elements to maintain the productivity of the retail and the continuity of the health services in the industry.
As we know, in recent years, data protection has gained a central role in Brazil, especially after the entry into force of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). The legislation has brought clear and demanding rules on how companies should collect, store and use personal information. Now, it is mandatory to make explicit what legal basis sustains the treatment of these data, in addition to the adoption of really effective security measures. Who ignores these requirements risks not only heavy fines, which can reach 2% of billing and be limited to 50 million reais for infringement, but also serious damage to reputation and difficulties when it comes to enter into contracts with public or private clients.
At the same time, standards such as the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and the guidelines of the Ministry of Labor reinforce the importance of maintaining reliable and auditable records of journeys and scales.
Within this scenario, cybersecurity is no longer a differential and has taken a strategic role within the business. Any organization that deals with sensitive data needs to ensure that this information remains intact, confidential and in compliance with current legislation.
One of the most important measures to achieve this goal is to keep systems up to date.WFM solutions handle data protected not only by the LGPD, but also by international legislation, such as the GDPR. Therefore, they require constant updates, safe development practices and permanent monitoring, in order to reduce vulnerabilities and minimize risks of cyber attacks.
In addition, following globally recognized standards has become a prerequisite. Certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001, focused on information security management, ISO/IEC 27018, which deals with data protection in the cloud, and ISO/IEC 27701, related to data privacy, help create a solid protection structure. When aligned with the requirements of Brazilian legislation, for example, they strengthen the company's image in front of investors, partners and regulatory bodies.
Large customers, especially in highly regulated sectors such as finance, are not only looking for operational efficiency, but also need clear guarantees that their suppliers treat information security as seriously as they conduct their own business.
For companies, this commitment represents peace of mind, because in addition to being sure that sensitive employee data is protected, it knows that the supplier has the due technical rigor, transparency and policies aligned with the most demanding regulators, not posing risk to the rest of the infrastructure.
With this, it is undeniable that the future of WFM is in the hands of organizations that can integrate innovation, governance and information security in a single ecosystem, because we have science that optimize scales and reduce costs is no longer enough. Each decision needs to be anchored in solid data protection practices, clarity in processes and real ability to resist digital threats.
Cybersecurity is not an expense, but a strategic investment, as it protects valuable intangible assets such as reputation and trust, and helps companies grow sustainably, keeping up with regulatory changes and staying competitive in an increasingly demanding market.
It is important to remember that trust is not built with speeches. It is born in everyday life, in the way data is stored, treated and shared. And it is in this constant care that the basis for solid and lasting growth is established.
*José Pedro Fernandes é vice-presidente global da SISQUAL® WFM.
