The last posting dealt with your information and how safe it is when you send it to someone for processing. Who are these someones?They are your accountant, your office supply store, the UPS store, the print shop that makes your business cards, blueprint copy shop, the guy who you hired to do you website. That's a lot of people. True by the nature of their business you expect a reasonable level of security when it comes to your information: A doctor's office, the confessional at church, the psychiatrist chair, and of course, your lawyer's office. That's about it.If you really think that you can expect any level of security anyplace else, then you are sadly mistaken. I am sorry to put it so bluntly but it had to be said. What assurances do you have from the people you so gladly hand your data over to that they won't spill your corporate beans in someone else's salad? DO THEY HAVE A PLAN?Do they have a plan in place that SPECIFICALLY addresses how they will handle your data? Do they download it off the net and then burn it on a CD, label it, then toss it on a desk, until they get around to it? Trust me that is no plan. That is inviting trouble. Imagine YOUR #1 COMPETITOR coming in and asking to see the inner workings of the print shop (as an example), as he is getting the grand tour he spots a CD with your company name on it, hmmmm. A quick reach of the hand and *POOF*, your data...the data you thought you were entrusting to your printer has now fallen into enemy hands. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK!!!Whatever, you do DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK. It is your information and if you do not like what they had to say or hesitate to say something (BIG INDICATOR THAT THEY HAVE NO PLAN), then find someone else to do your work. It may cost a little more, but it may end up saving you a whole lot more when it comes to losing data to a competitor.IT IS YOUR BUSINESSIf they start giving you the run around or asking you what business is their business practices of yours...TELL THEM THAT IT IS YOUR BUSINESS you are bringing them. If they can't respect you enough to protect your business then they certainly don't need your patronage and they certainly don't need YOUR MONEY. IN SUMMATION- You have a right to have your information protected
- You have a right to known how your information is protected
- You have a right to find someone else (especially if they pull that old 'I thought we were friends' routine), that's why it is called BUSINESS (and not friendship)
- You have a right not to be fooled by the fish. Those who proudly wear the fish like a badge of honor are set to a higher standard because "they expect it" also they are expected to give that HIGHER STANDARD back to everyone they deal with (more about the fish later).
- You have a right to spend your money wherever you want.
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE RESPECTED
Even with some arguing that it may be too soon for any major motion picture about 9-11-2001. I feel the opposite.The time was right on 9-12-2001. I mean that as citizens of the United States we should be reminded about the morning hell was unleashed on us over our first cup of coffee, everyday. If only to reinforce the fact that there are people in the world that will stop at nothing to see the end of the greatest democracy this planet has ever had. So is the time right? You better damn well believe it the time is right. This motion picture will be ranked up there with the emotions stirred up by 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN'! Although, SPR is in a league of its own, it stirred the emotions of everyone who saw it. Especially, those first 20 minutes. I never got a chance to truly thank my grandfather for his service to this country, but I am so proud of him for answering his nation's call. But I digress...Flight 93, we know what happens, yet we will watch if for nothing else, but for the opportunity to get to know those Patriots who so willingly sacrificed themselves so that a couple of idiots would never see their delusional vision of heaven be realized.It's time....Go See FLIGHT 93.
By now I am sure most of you have heard about the Hard Drives, Thumb Drives, and other data storage devices stolen from US bases in Afghanistan and sold at the local bazaars. There have been reports that there were maps of Fire Control Radar locations, images of troop movements and operations, names of Taliban double agents, cover agents and other sensitive data were on the drives. How did they obtain this information? Its real simple...According to an FBI/CSI Computer Security Survey for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, "Insiders are the greatest threat to computer security". Consultants, technicians, outside vendors and contractors are allowed access to the area where such equipment is stored. It doesn't take a genius to go in and copy a harddrive (especially with external USB drives) or palm a flash drive and *POOF* it is gone.What are you doing to protect your data? Encrypting it? off-site storage? or hope that you can trust the people you allow behind the counter? We all live in a world where we would like to trust your fellow man. While it is not certain how much information has already fallen into enemy hands, what it is certain it will be used against us whether in the form of Propoganda (recovered images) or to plan counter-operations against Coalition forces.While this might not happen in your business, people might not die if a blue print goes missing but should a client find out that their private business information has been compromised rest assured your business will suffer a direct economic hit because you are not doing anything to protect their interest.
So if you think you can live through a direct economic hit to your business, then you are one of two things: so rich that you don't need their business or you are the biggest IDIOT thatever was.
Do something now about protecting not just your data but that of your clients, and let them know you care enough about them that you are taking steps to protect their most important assets entrusted to you.
If you don't know how to get started, let me know I am willing to help you.
