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Does someone know more about you than you do?

It’s scary. It seems as if just about everyday we are hearing about someone or some organization losing data about us. But the real scary part is that these reports aren’t about lost or thief that just happened, but ones that happened many months ago.

If you are a Vet, your personal information may be in someone hands. It is thought that the computer that held the data was sold either as is or for parts, with the data erased. But no one knows for sure.

Most of these problems occurred due to poor management decisions. A database with critical personal information should never be put onto any type of portable device. Parts of that database, possibly, but not information such as Social Security number or other tax id numbers.

How can you the small business owner protect the information of your clients?

• Create a firm data protection policy and within it create performance punishments. These could be suspensions, or terminations.

• Be certain that all of your employees know the policy and follow it. It’s important they understand the reasons for the policy. Policies are always set up for a reason and all employees need to be educated on the reason.

• Don’t be afraid to deal firmly with those that do don’t adhere to the policy.

• And most of all, top management needs to follow the policy.

If you for some reason must have the personal data of clients on portable devices, have the data well encrypted. I’ve said it in previous posts and somewhere along the line it’ll probably come up again, but data encryption while putting a layer of startup in dealing with the data, in the long run may be the best time that you’ve ever spent.

Check back later in the week for part 2 of this post dealing with ways to protect yourself and check to see if you are a victim of identity thief.

© 2006 Steven G. Atkinson – All rights reserved – tt4sb.com

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