Business leaders are spending more time than ever before thinking about data security. What they sometimes forget, however, is that protecting sensitive data is a two-way street – you don’t want hackers or criminals to get access to sensitive files, of course, but your customers don’t want their data getting out either.
Your organization probably has a privacy policy, but is it structured in the right way? To help you find the answer we want to use today’s post to cover three mistakes your company can’t afford to make…
#1 Taking or Keeping Information You Shouldn’t
There are very strict rules about what sorts of data you can collect on customers, prospects, and even website visitors. These become even more intense (and relevant) when you work in certain industries or foreign countries.
Making sure you’re compliant with the latest regulations is a good way to earn trust from the people and businesses you work with. It’s also important if you want to avoid fines, not to mention negative publicity. If you aren’t sure whether you’re on the right side of best practices or not, a good IT partner can help.
#2 Not Explaining How Data Will Be Collected or Used
Even if most people will never read the terms and conditions associated with your products or services it’s still important to have them there. That way, if you’re ever challenged about your policies in court you can clearly point to the places where they were spelled out in writing.
This is particularly pertinent to the area of data security, where public awareness is at an all-time high. Make it clear what kinds of details you have on hand, how long they are maintained, and what you plan to do with them.
#3 Failing to Update Your Policy Over Time
Most businesses are handling sensitive data a lot differently than they were just a few years ago. But how many of them have updated their privacy or security policies to reflect those changes?
Periodically reviewing your policies every year or two helps you in a couple of important ways. First, it ensures that buyers and partners are aware of the new ways you might be using information. And second, it also helps your business receive credit for the work you do to remain transparent and handle data in a responsible way.
Are You Struggling to Keep Up With Tech?
It’s hard enough to stay on top of hardware replacements, firmware updates, software licensing terms, and compatibility issues – in other words the things it takes to keep your company running. Once you add on strategic concerns associated with topics like IT budgeting and privacy policies, things can get really complex quickly.
If you could use the best in tech advice and service for your small or medium-sized company, why not let us help? Contact the experts at Fantastic IT today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do to keep your business moving forward.