It seems as if data entered on a computer never really goes away. Once it is imprinted on a platter, it may no longer be visible in libraries, but can often still be retrieved. This can cause big problems for business who deal with sensitive documents, customer credit card information or medical records. By using hard drive shredding Austin business owners can ensure the information is properly destroyed.
Many business executives are not aware of the potential fines and other consequences of data leaks. Access to someone's health information, protected by HIPAA, can result in fines of $250,000 per incident along with up to 10 years in prison. The law says financial institutions can face fines of $100,000 per incident. The damage to reputation is also immense.
Identity theft continues to grow in the USA. If the wrong person gets his hands on information such as one's driver's license number, social security number or credit card, they have enough to steal an identity, resulting in problems that take years to clear up. In the typical medical office, all three of these identifiers as well as medical records may be stored on the computer database. Thieves can gather more than enough info to steal many patients' identities and ruin their chances of buying a home or vehicle until the problem is cleared up.
Sometimes businesses are surprised to find the places this sensitive data is stored. It has recently come to light that modern copy machines store such information from every document scanned, faxed or copied on the machine. Such machines are often provided on a lease. When the lease expires, they may be refurbished and sent to another company without destroying this data. Many businesses found this security breach too late to stop the damage.
Wiping or erasing discs on such electronics does not provide the needed protection. Companies and clients may still encounter security breaches. The only method that ensures data cannot be recovered is the destruction of the platter on which it is stored. Without this action, it can end up in the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes.
Although the services are used primarily by businesses, individuals may want to consider similar actions. The computer used in a home also is a source of one's personal information. Even after the machine no longer boots up, the data can be recovered by others.
Companies that provide this service to business should also take precautions to ensure data does not fall into the wrong hands. Employees should have background checks. The serial number of each disc destroyed should be provided to the owner. The platter for each machine should be physically destroyed.
Far too much important information has been stored on the devices depended upon by companies to dispose the machines negligently. Physical destruction of the platter ensures information is protected. Using hard drive shredding Austin businesses protect their clients as well as themselves.
Many business executives are not aware of the potential fines and other consequences of data leaks. Access to someone's health information, protected by HIPAA, can result in fines of $250,000 per incident along with up to 10 years in prison. The law says financial institutions can face fines of $100,000 per incident. The damage to reputation is also immense.
Identity theft continues to grow in the USA. If the wrong person gets his hands on information such as one's driver's license number, social security number or credit card, they have enough to steal an identity, resulting in problems that take years to clear up. In the typical medical office, all three of these identifiers as well as medical records may be stored on the computer database. Thieves can gather more than enough info to steal many patients' identities and ruin their chances of buying a home or vehicle until the problem is cleared up.
Sometimes businesses are surprised to find the places this sensitive data is stored. It has recently come to light that modern copy machines store such information from every document scanned, faxed or copied on the machine. Such machines are often provided on a lease. When the lease expires, they may be refurbished and sent to another company without destroying this data. Many businesses found this security breach too late to stop the damage.
Wiping or erasing discs on such electronics does not provide the needed protection. Companies and clients may still encounter security breaches. The only method that ensures data cannot be recovered is the destruction of the platter on which it is stored. Without this action, it can end up in the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes.
Although the services are used primarily by businesses, individuals may want to consider similar actions. The computer used in a home also is a source of one's personal information. Even after the machine no longer boots up, the data can be recovered by others.
Companies that provide this service to business should also take precautions to ensure data does not fall into the wrong hands. Employees should have background checks. The serial number of each disc destroyed should be provided to the owner. The platter for each machine should be physically destroyed.
Far too much important information has been stored on the devices depended upon by companies to dispose the machines negligently. Physical destruction of the platter ensures information is protected. Using hard drive shredding Austin businesses protect their clients as well as themselves.
About the Author:
Read more about Using Hard Drive Shredding Austin Businesses Protect Their Security visiting our website.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment