Secure payroll services you can trust.
With Gusto's secure, cloud-based platform, you can run payroll, provide benefits to your team, and take care of HR with peace of mind. That's because we protect your business and your employees' sensitive data with top-notch security features.
Work with Gusto, and join more than 500,000 businesses that trust Gusto's secure payroll software.
Trusted by 500,000+ businesses and their teams
#1 Highest Satisfaction Software
G2 Review | 2026
#1 Best payroll software
TrustRadius | 2025
Security and trust are our top priorities at Gusto.
We built Gusto on a foundation of security. It’s why businesses trust us to process tens of billions of payroll dollars annually. Here are just a few reasons why our customers are confident in Gusto’s platform:
Application security
We actively test our software to prevent problems and issues from reoccurring.
Encryption
We use industry-standard encryption to secure your data.
On-site security team
We have an on-site security team ready to help in case there are issues.
Reliable technology
Payroll software that's secure and private.
Gusto's payroll was designed with security, accuracy, and compliance in mind. That's regardless of whether you run payroll on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
Gusto leverages industry-standard encryption to secure all of your data. Plus, we proactively monitor your account to help prevent fraudulent transactions.
Security beyond payroll
Benefits administration built for compliance.
Gusto makes offering benefits easy — from health insurance to 401(k) plans.
Because benefits are built right into our platform, you know security is built-in too. And we can help you make sure your health benefits comply with ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA requirements.
We even review our vendors and integration partners to make sure they have stellar security as well.
American Canning, Gusto customer
Convenient and collaborative
One login for all your payroll, benefits, and HR needs.
With Gusto, there’s no need to remember a million passwords. You can access everything Gusto has to offer in one secure dashboard.
Want to delegate the work to someone else instead? Gusto has multiple types of account permissions, so you can give admins and managers access to only what they need to see.
Multi-factor authentication and single sign-on functions are also available to make sure only the right people see the most sensitive data.
Our comprehensive security practices help keep your business safe.
Application security
We do internal and third-party penetration testing to make sure our application and network are secure. We also scan for vulnerabilities in our system and have a bug bounty program in place.
All of our employees go through security training as well.
Data security
We take many steps to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your private information.
Our production data is hosted in AWS, and we backup and encrypt that data every day. All data at rest is encrypted using AES-256, while all data in transit is encrypted using TLS 1.2.
Account security
With Gusto, you know your account is protected by the most sophisticated security practices.
We make sure you and your team have configurable passwords with strong requirements. We also have multi-factor authentication and single sign-on options available to further secure your accounts.
Best-in-class technology
Transparent pricing. No surprises.
We crafted our plans to fit your needs as your business grows. You choose what works for you — and change plans when you need to.
With Gusto’s all-in-one platform, you have access to best-in-class security features, and so much more:
- Unlimited online payroll
- Health and financial benefits
- Employee self-onboarding
- World-class customer support
- Built-in time tracking
- Workers' compensation
Plans start at $55 per month.
Customers save an average of 38 hours per quarter on tax and compliance work since switching to Gusto. That's an average of 152 hours per year.
Source: Survey of 538 Gusto Customers, September 2024
Secure payroll FAQs
Automated payroll tax filings, new hire reporting, and benefits deductions are just a few of the things Gusto will take care of for you.
Here's the full list of our payroll, benefits, and HR features.
Employees will continue to be able to log into their Gusto account. That means they can access their past pay stubs and W-2s without bothering you for them.
You can reach our experienced customer support representatives via email, chat, or phone. Here’s our contact info.
Payroll security resources
How to ensure payroll security at your business
From Social Security numbers to bank account credentials, running payroll involves a lot of sensitive information. You don’t want those private details about your business and your employees to get in the wrong hands.
That’s why it’s essential to use a secure payroll service that has extensive protections. Make sure your payroll provider has these key security features:
Account security: Prevent hackers from accessing private information by making sure all user accounts are protected by features such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Fraud alerts: A smart payroll system will proactively monitor unusual activity, such as a new login from a previously unknown IP in France, for example, and let you know. This helps you catch payroll fraud before it starts and keeps sensitive data secure.
Bug fixes: Make sure your payroll software is regularly updated with the latest security fixes. While computer-based software usually requires manual updates, most cloud-based payroll software will take care of updates automatically.
Payroll security best practices to follow
While security threats can stem from insecure payroll software, they can also happen when employees and payroll administrators don’t follow the right protocols. For example, poor password management practices can allow people to fudge timecards or change their pay rates.
To safeguard your company and employees’ sensitive payroll information, follow these best practices.
1. Create strong passwords
All passwords should be strong and complex to prevent hackers from gaining access.
Consider encouraging your employees to use a password manager, which will create randomized passwords and store them in an encrypted database.
2. Roll out smart email policies
Use email spam filters, and instruct your employees on how to spot common phishing schemes. For example, a hacker could gain access to your payroll system by emailing your payroll administrator and telling them it’s time to reset their payroll software password.
3. Have strong account admin changes and permissions.
Knowing who the designated admin is on your account is important, as it unlocks privileges over other parts of your payroll system. Make sure you have secure procedures in place whenever an admin change is initiated.
Also, if you need to give multiple employees access to your payroll software, ensure that you only give them access to the functions they need. For example, perhaps managers who need to approve employee time cards can only see the time tracking section of your payroll software.
4. Don't run payroll in front of employees
It's best to avoid running payroll in front of other employees. This prevents employees from seeing pay rates, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other private information.
5. Implement a log-out policy
Make sure all employees log out every time they use your company’s payroll software. Leaving a computer logged in may allow someone to sneak in and make changes without your consent.
Secure payroll providers also have forced log-outs after a certain time frame to prevent this type of situation from happening.
6. Conduct regular payroll audits
Auditing your payroll regularly will help you catch issues related to time tracking, incorrect pay rates, and other irregularities.
Two common types of payroll fraud are timesheet fraud and pay rate fraud.
Timesheet fraud: This can involve an employee changing the number of hours worked, noting PTO time improperly, or asking a friend to clock in for them when they’re actually absent.
Pay rate fraud: This type of fraud requires someone with direct access to your company’s payroll to adjust an employee’s pay rate, either permanently or only for a few payroll cycles.
To prevent these two things from happening, make sure to require manager approval on employee hours worked before syncing the information with payroll. The extra step of having a manager sign off on an employee’s hours and pay rate can reduce the chances of incorrect hours and rates getting paid out.
7. Regulate external information requests
Sometimes, creditors, banks, and other entities may need information about your business or your employees’ pay history. One common example is banks evaluating a loan or mortgage application.
Make sure you train your employees in the best ways to handle these requests to prevent security hacks. Many online payroll providers also have employee portals where your team can access their pay stubs and pay history, making it easier for them to get the information they need.
Keeping your company’s payroll data secure requires teamwork from you, your employees, and your payroll software. With proper training and education, and by choosing a best-in-class payroll service, you can help stop payroll security issues before they start.