Successful Startup 101 Magazine - Issue 5 Page 5

  * This comic was created by Kriti Vichareand Shivraj Vichare. It was inspired by the ironies they have seen and have experienced in their small business ventures. You can find their comics on https://www.entrepreneurfail.com/. They are the creators of the book Cheating on your Corporate Job: A Comic Look at the Startup Dream.

  A Business Guide for Protecting Personal Information

  By Sandy Glover

  Many businesses find it necessary to keep personal information about their clients which can include name, Social Security number, credit card or bank card numbers, address,etc. Keeping client's personal information is necessary for the business to fill orders, send invoices or any number reasons however,  if this information is compromised or stolen, it can lead to your client's falling victim of identity theft or fraud and your losing your creditability thus business.  How can you protect this information that you have been trusted with, and your own?  The answer is a sound security plan:

  * Keep the information you need for your business. If you don't need the clients date of birth, black it out.

  * Secure the information. Keep files in a locked safe or secure your hard drive when the business is closed.

  * Don't leave files in the view of the public.

  * Install a alarm system and, if possible, closed circuit cameras. Know what goes on in your business when you are not there.

  * Have a very thorough background screening program in place, the best is with a consumer reporting agency or a private investigation agency who specialize in background screening.

  * Have a document management program, this includes a shredder-once you no longer need the document, destroy it in a shredder.

  * Consider having employees signing a confidentially clause agreeing to keep any and all information strictly confidential. This includes sharing or posting pass words.