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HR Department
Ai Data AI technology AI tools Cyber Security Data Services Data Technology GenAI HR Department

How GenAI Is Revolutionizing HR Analytics for CHROs and Business Leaders

 

Generative AI (GenAI) is redefining how HR leaders interact with data, removing the steep learning curve traditionally associated with people analytics tools. When faced with a spike in hourly employee turnover, Sameer Raut, Vice President of HRIS at Sunstate Equipment, didn’t need to build a custom report or consult data scientists. Instead, he typed a plain-language query into a GenAI-powered chatbot: 

“What are the top reasons for hourly employee terminations in the past 12 months?” Within seconds, he had his answer. This shift in how HR professionals access data marks a significant evolution in workforce analytics. Tools powered by large language models (LLMs) are now integrated into leading analytics platforms such as Visier, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, and Sisense. These platforms are leveraging GenAI to interpret natural language questions and deliver real-time, actionable insights without requiring technical expertise. 

One of the major advantages of GenAI is its ability to unify fragmented HR data sources. It streamlines data cleansing, ensures consistency, and improves the accuracy of workforce metrics like headcount growth, recruitment gaps, and attrition trends. As Raut notes, tools like Visier’s GenAI assistant “Vee” allow him to make quick decisions during meetings, helping HR become more responsive and strategic. This evolution is particularly valuable in a landscape where 39% of HR leaders cite limited analytics expertise as their biggest challenge, according to a 2023 Aptitude Research study. 

GenAI removes this barrier by enabling intuitive data exploration across familiar platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Frontline managers who may never open a BI dashboard can now access performance metrics and workforce trends instantly. Experts believe this transformation is just beginning. While some analytics platforms are still improving their natural language processing capabilities, others are leading with more advanced and user-friendly GenAI chatbots. 

These tools can even create automated visualizations and summaries tailored to executive audiences, enabling CHROs to tell compelling data stories during high-level meetings. However, this transformation doesn’t come without risk. Data privacy remains a top concern, especially as GenAI tools engage with sensitive workforce data. HR leaders must ensure that platforms offer strict entitlement management and avoid training AI models on private customer data. Providers like Visier mitigate these risks by training their models solely on anonymized queries rather than real-world employee information. 

As GenAI continues to evolve, it’s clear that its role in HR will only expand. From democratizing access to HR data to enhancing real-time decision-making and storytelling, this technology is becoming indispensable for organizations looking to stay agile and informed.
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Personal Information
Data Breach Data Services database Internet Personal Information

Database Service Provider Leak Results in Exposing Over 600,000 Records on Web

Database Service Provider Leak Results in Exposing Over 600,000 Records on Web


SL Data Services, a U.S.-based data broker, experienced a massive data breach, exposing 644,869 personal PDF files on the web. The leaked records included sensitive information such as personal details, vehicle records, property ownership documents, background checks, and court records. Alarmingly, the exposed files were not encrypted or password-protected.

Cybersecurity expert Jeremiah Fowler discovered the breach, identifying sample records in the 713.1 GB database. Remarkably, 95% of the documents were labeled as “background checks.”

"This information provides a full profile of these individuals and raises potentially concerning privacy considerations," Fowler stated.

Details of the Leaked Data

The breached documents contained the following sensitive information:

  • Residential addresses
  • Contact details and emails
  • Employment data
  • Full names
  • Social media accounts
  • Family members
  • Criminal record history

Fowler confirmed the accuracy of the residential addresses associated with named individuals in the leaked files.

How the Leak Happened

According to Fowler, property reports ordered from SL Data Services were stored in a database accessible via a web portal for customers. The vulnerability arose when a threat actor, knowing the file path, could locate and access these documents.

SL Data Services used a single database for multiple domains without proper segmentation. The only separation was through folders named after the respective websites. After Fowler reported the breach, database access was blocked for a week, but during that time, over 150,000 additional records were exposed. It remains unclear how long the data was publicly accessible or what information was accessed by unauthorized parties.

When Fowler contacted SL Data Services, he was only able to reach call center agents who denied the breach, claiming their systems used SSL and 128-bit encryption. Despite these assurances, the exposed records suggest serious lapses in data security practices.

The Risks of Exposed Data

Fowler warned about the dangers posed by the leaked information:

"The criminals could potentially leverage information about family members, employment, or criminal cases to obtain additional sensitive personal information, financial data, or other privacy threats."

Publicly exposed data allows threat actors to:

  • Launch phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks
  • Fake identities using stolen information
  • Target victims whose data appeared in background check documents

Staying Safe

To protect personal data when working with data brokers, Fowler recommends the following:

  1. Research Data Storage Practices
    Understand how the company stores and secures sensitive data.
  2. Conduct Vulnerability Scans
    Ensure the broker performs regular scans to detect potential security issues.
  3. Request Penetration Testing
    Verify whether the company tests its systems to prevent unauthorized access.

Conclusion

This breach underscores the importance of robust data security practices for companies handling sensitive information. By adopting proactive measures and holding data brokers accountable, both organizations and consumers can mitigate the risks of future breaches.

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