Your Information In A Stranger's Hand (Pt. 2)

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 BUSINESS
If 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