Make Your Employees Your First Line of Defense
Every year, millions of Americans become victims of identity theft. In fact thieves steal billions from the people and companies they prey upon. Identity thieves change tactics so we need to stay informed and protect the information that we collect.
Regardless of your industry, there are laws and regulations that require your company to take steps to protect the data you collect. Failure to comply can result in crippling fines and irreparable damage to your reputation. Instituting policies and procedures to safeguard customer information can help you to comply, but only if your employees adhere to them. Your team is truly your first line of defense against losses due to identity theft. Educate and train employees so they have the knowledge necessary to protect your business.
Create procedures that help you employees succeed. New hire training and reviews should include:
- What identity theft is and how it works
- How identity thieves use high tech and low tech means of stealing information
- The consequences of identity theft for both victims and businesses that suffer data breaches
- Methods of protecting data to prevent identity theft
- Ways to spot potential identity theft and what to do if they suspect someone is trying to steal information
- Strategies for communicating with co-workers, customers and the general public regarding identity theft
Consumer Identity Theft, Medical Identity Theft, Corporate Identity Theft
Thieves may steal paper records or electronic data and use the information to obtain credit and take out loans, racking up debt in victims’ names. The devastating effect that this can have on credit ratings can make it difficult for victims to obtain loans and secure housing.
Thieves use vulnerabilities in medical providers’ data and document security to steal victims’ personal information and insurance data. Then receive necessary or cosmetic medical treatments using their identities. Not only does this result in fraudulent medical expenses for victims, but it can also put them in danger of receiving incorrect medications and treatments, leading to life-threatening health complications.
When companies are victims of data theft, data is usually stolen and the confidential information is leaked to the public. Businesses can also become victims of financial identity theft and have their credit ratings ruined.
UV&S Services
We provide multiple services that can help you prevent identity theft. We offer secure offsite records storage for the data you need to keep. Records can be easily retrieved when needed and destroyed when they meet retention. We are NAID certified for destruction and will provide a Certificate of Destruction for your records. Our shredding services also include recurring services for your office and year end clean outs. We have both mobile and offsite shredding routes to meet the needs of your office. You can schedule destruction and recycling services for paper, media, hard drives and e-waste.
For data storage, we have an IT division ready to meet the needs of your business. Our secure Data Center services protect your assets and our private cloud services make your data accessible where you need it. Running back ups can be automatic so you know the data you need will be there in the event of a breach or disaster.
Contact us to discuss your needs and let us help you find the best solution to keep your business safe and operating efficiently.
