There is no company that doesn’t have sensitive data. Storing sensitive information is a crucial responsibility. Companies store a myriad of data from client records to employee files, to financial documents to business contracts.
There are a variety of important guidelines to adhere to when it comes time to store confidential information. This includes establishing protocols for secure management of data that do not compromise workflow efficiency, training all employees, setting confidentiality policies, utilizing a collaboration tool that permits encrypted communication with only authorized individuals, and utilizing platforms that allow for file sharing and encrypted communication.
Sensitive data refers to information that needs to be protected in order to prevent identity theft and unauthorized access to accounts and systems. This could include personal data like Social Security numbers and passwords that must remain confidential to avoid identity theft or business information, such as trade secrets of companies, which could be damaging if disclosed.
The best practice for storing confidential information is to keep it separated so that each piece of information can be handled by the right people. It is also helpful to label each file so that it can be easily identified. This allows for more precise access rights to be granted, and also prevents files from being stored in locations that aren’t as secure.
Check all laptops, computers and mobile devices, as well as flash drives, digital copiers and other equipment that could contain sensitive information. This includes remote locations, mobile devices and computers at home, as well as file cabinets and office filing cabinets.