Business Security - Getting Your Corporate Identity In Top Notch Form

By Author: Jane-Marie Sandberg
Total Articles: 7
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SecurityPrivacy, Precautions, Protection, Defense

You've no doubt heard about identity theft. Very often, businesses miss the point that their corporate identity is even more vulnerable to identity theft than the individuals working within their business or its clients and consumers. You can get locked into your day-to-day operational thinking of individual data and information, and completely forget about the requirements to protect your corporate identity. It's very easy to lose sight of your company's vulnerable information and data that would allow an identity thief or organized crime ring to knowingly transfer or use, without lawful authority, a means of identification of your company with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law. Companies are being impersonated in other states and countries without their knowledge. For an individual, financial identity theft is typically under $100,000, but for a corporation the problem can escalate into the $Millions per incident.

Promote ...
... The Security and Safety Of Your Business

1. Examine the information and data released for public knowledge. What, where and how does your company release its identifying information? The counter argument to any release of public record of your business information should be done in a manner to protect vulnerable account numbers and specific identifying data that could be used to create new business accounts, holdings and other asset-generating vehicles. You're likely to hear, but it's always been done this way! You can begin to challenge fixed business methods by meeting with key employees and managers to review vulnerable information and brainstorm new ways to better protect business data.

2. Today, many businesses are focusing strictly on the security of their databases, computer networks, internet access points, and software while undervaluing the data and information they voluntarily release within their company's annual report, About Us on their website, and bio materials for management. It is imperative that your company closely examines the security flaws within such information and adjust the release of data on an as-needed basis only. When these types of documents and data fall into the wrong hands the security of your business identity falters.

Recently, I revealed to one of my consulting clients - the CEO, CFO and several upper-management officers - that their company documents were posted on their websites, with their signatures. Several other company-specific documents were included that would allow an identity thief to complete the necessary paperwork to apply for multi-million dollar loans or sell company assets without the company officers knowing about the transactions until they received the default or collection notices. Sounds far-fetched? It happens often. What are you exposing on your company's website? The best security, firewall, anti-virus and password protection will not secure the data that you voluntarily post.

3. Consider bringing in an outside expert on business security to hold a company-wide seminar to start company executives and employees thinking that business and personal security habits are not threatening, but a way to guarantee continuing growth for the company and more secure employment. Ask the security consultant to show examples of vulnerabilities, holes, and possible leaks to the staff involved in workshops practicing privacy, safety, security and identity theft protection.

4. Identify the company's weakest link and best security methods to eliminate possible threats. This could be something as simple as a slight change in the way you process your invoicing or as complex as introducing a completely new protocol that came to light during one of your security sessions, but you had not previously pursued. If you have an overseas office, identify and protect the transmission of vulnerable data being exchanged from one office to another.

5. Install a working group to implement the new protocols and techniques. Make it clear to all that management supports the process and amendments that come as a result of the security workshops and that similar support is expected from all concerned. Assemble your implementation team with a good cross-section of the involved departments and include both the positive supporters and naysayers. Monitor implementation of changes keeping in mind that security of the corporate identity should become routine. Make the security of your business a top priority!

And now I'd like to invite you to go to http://www.powerofprivacy.com and get your FREE instant access to Your Ultimate Guide to Privacy from Ifida Known, America's Ambassador for Privacy, Safety, Security and Identity Theft Protection . Other articles written by Ifida Known are available at http://www.IfidaKnown.com. Copyright 2005-2008 © Ifida Known Enterprises LLC