As a business owner you have access to a lot of customer data. Whether it's their full name, email address, credit card information, or social security number, this information is critical to protect it. If their data gets into the wrong hands it can lead to fraud and identity theft for the customer and a law suit for you.
5 considerations you should take when protecting customer's data
(Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Consult with your risk specialist for details)
What data you collect - Only collect the data you need. By limiting the type of data you collect, you limit the scope of risk.
How you collect and store the data - Make sure you use end-to-end encryption methods. One common step in this process is to secure your website (i.e., https instead of http).
Who has access to the data - Make sure your employees have a business need to have access to the customer data and make sure they have their own unique log-in (no more shared log-ins).
How you delete the data - Data life-cycle management best practices ensure you're only keeping data as long as you need it. When it's time to delete the data, have a process in place to ensure it's really deleted from your system.
How you dispose of your outdated hardware - Never toss your old hardware in the trash. If someone gets ahold of that hardware and hacks your system, you're liable for the data breach. Instead, work with a reputible recycling company to manage the chain-of-custody and audit log.
Customer data can open the opportunity for personalized marketing messages and enhanced customer experiences. But, you need to ensure you're taking care of their data as well.
Comentarios