Data entered into a computer seems to never really go away. Once it has been imprinted on the memory, even though it can no longer be seen in the libraries it may still be possible to retrieve. While this allows companies to restore lost data, it also causes a problem, especially for a business. Sensitive documents, medical records and customer credit card information can be retrieved from discarded electronics. With hard drive shredding Austin consumers are protected.
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.
The number of incidents of identity theft continues to grow. Those who get their hands on personal information can use the data to steal one's identity and credit rating. They set up new accounts and do not pay them, ruining one's credit rating and resulting in problems that can take many years to clear. In medical offices, in addition to the protected health information, computers store driver's license numbers, date of birth, social security numbers and credit card information. The thief can gather more than enough information to steal a person's identity.
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 and erasing discs on these devices does not provide adequate protection. Businesses thinking they had protected themselves have encountered security breaches. Only by destruction of the actual platter is the data stored on it eliminated. Unless one takes this action, the materials may end up in the wrong set of hands.
While these services are provided mainly for businesses, it is a good idea for individual consumers to consider similar actions. Personal identifying information is stored on one's computer. Even if the machine cannot be turned on, the data can be recovered.
The companies providing the data destruction services should also take precautions to protect data. Employees should be subject to background checks. Serial numbers of discs destroyed should be recorded and provided to the owners. Each platter must be physically rendered useless to retrieve any of the data. A shredder is the best way to ensure the information will not come back to cause problems.
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.
The number of incidents of identity theft continues to grow. Those who get their hands on personal information can use the data to steal one's identity and credit rating. They set up new accounts and do not pay them, ruining one's credit rating and resulting in problems that can take many years to clear. In medical offices, in addition to the protected health information, computers store driver's license numbers, date of birth, social security numbers and credit card information. The thief can gather more than enough information to steal a person's identity.
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 and erasing discs on these devices does not provide adequate protection. Businesses thinking they had protected themselves have encountered security breaches. Only by destruction of the actual platter is the data stored on it eliminated. Unless one takes this action, the materials may end up in the wrong set of hands.
While these services are provided mainly for businesses, it is a good idea for individual consumers to consider similar actions. Personal identifying information is stored on one's computer. Even if the machine cannot be turned on, the data can be recovered.
The companies providing the data destruction services should also take precautions to protect data. Employees should be subject to background checks. Serial numbers of discs destroyed should be recorded and provided to the owners. Each platter must be physically rendered useless to retrieve any of the data. A shredder is the best way to ensure the information will not come back to cause problems.
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.
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