~by Dixie Somers~
Mismanagement and inadequate securing of employees’ information have been a challenge for many employers. In some extreme cases, it has led to lawsuits and loss of vital information. Data and identity theft has grown by more than 650 percent in the past three years. Confidential employee information includes full names, addresses, and social security numbers.
Employers can protect employees’ information through various means discussed below.
Stay on Top of Encryption Practices
As an employer, you should be up to date with the latest encryption technologies and processes. These will help you prevent you prevent cyber crimes. Moreover, you can secure employees’ information from internal attacks by malicious employees. You should always set up a regular schedule to update encryption. It is also advisable to seek advice from an IT professional on online encryption software.
Destroy Unnecessary Hard Drives
You should destroy hard drives once they are no longer needed. This method ensures that sensitive employees’ information does not fall into the wrong hands. You should remember that office equipment like multi-purpose machines and copiers also have hard drives. Therefore, you should always remember to dispose of media containing data before leasing office equipment.
Resetting Passwords
Having a secure password that incorporates symbols and numbers is among the easiest and cheapest ways of protecting employees’ information. Longer and more complex passwords are harder to breach. Moreover, you and your employees should change your password(s) on a regular basis. It is an effective method in cases where your office is accessible to many employees.
Limit Access
Most organizations allow pertinent human resource employees and managers to have access to personnel files. If files get stolen, vital information about employees could be released. In some cases, the thief could use that information to commit fraud, such as opening credit cards in the employee’s names. In the end, the employee’s credit is destroyed without their knowledge. Therefore, file rooms and databases with confidential employee information should be made accessible only to authorized personnel.
Meet the Author: Dixie Somers
Dixie Somers is a freelance writer who loves writing for business, finance, and those with an entrepreneurial spirit. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.
