By Christi Larsen
It seems as if data entered on a computer never really goes away. Once it is imprinted on a platter, it may no longer be visible in libraries, but can often still be retrieved. This can cause big problems for business who deal with sensitive documents, customer credit card information or medical records. By using hard drive shredding Austin business owners can ensure the information is properly destroyed.
Most executives in business are unaware of the potential fines for which their company could be liable. If someone accesses health information, HIPAA allows fines for $250,000 plus ten years in prison for each violation. Financial institutions face up to $100,000 per violation of leaked data. Loss of this type of data can have an immeasurable impact on the reputation of businesses.
Identity theft continues to grow in the USA. If the wrong person gets his hands on information such as one's driver's license number, social security number or credit card, they have enough to steal an identity, resulting in problems that take years to clear up. In the typical medical office, all three of these identifiers as well as medical records may be stored on the computer database. Thieves can gather more than enough info to steal many patients' identities and ruin their chances of buying a home or vehicle until the problem is cleared up.
Businesses are often surprised to find the electronics that store such sensitive information. In recent years, it has been disclosed that modern copy machines store the information from each document they print, scan, fax or copy. Since these machines are provided on a lease basis they often travel from one office to another once the previous lease is terminated. Unless the data is destroyed, it travels with the machine and can fall into the wrong hands.
Wiping or erasing discs on such electronics does not provide the needed protection. Companies and clients may still encounter security breaches. The only method that ensures data cannot be recovered is the destruction of the platter on which it is stored. Without this action, it can end up in the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes.
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.
Companies that provide this service to business should also take precautions to ensure data does not fall into the wrong hands. Employees should have background checks. The serial number of each disc destroyed should be provided to the owner. The platter for each machine should be physically destroyed.
There is far too much important information on the electronic devices used by most companies to dispose of them in a negligent manner. The only way to ensure such information is destroyed is the physical destruction of each platter. With hard drive shredding Austinbusinesses protect themselves as well as their clients.
Most executives in business are unaware of the potential fines for which their company could be liable. If someone accesses health information, HIPAA allows fines for $250,000 plus ten years in prison for each violation. Financial institutions face up to $100,000 per violation of leaked data. Loss of this type of data can have an immeasurable impact on the reputation of businesses.
Identity theft continues to grow in the USA. If the wrong person gets his hands on information such as one's driver's license number, social security number or credit card, they have enough to steal an identity, resulting in problems that take years to clear up. In the typical medical office, all three of these identifiers as well as medical records may be stored on the computer database. Thieves can gather more than enough info to steal many patients' identities and ruin their chances of buying a home or vehicle until the problem is cleared up.
Businesses are often surprised to find the electronics that store such sensitive information. In recent years, it has been disclosed that modern copy machines store the information from each document they print, scan, fax or copy. Since these machines are provided on a lease basis they often travel from one office to another once the previous lease is terminated. Unless the data is destroyed, it travels with the machine and can fall into the wrong hands.
Wiping or erasing discs on such electronics does not provide the needed protection. Companies and clients may still encounter security breaches. The only method that ensures data cannot be recovered is the destruction of the platter on which it is stored. Without this action, it can end up in the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes.
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.
Companies that provide this service to business should also take precautions to ensure data does not fall into the wrong hands. Employees should have background checks. The serial number of each disc destroyed should be provided to the owner. The platter for each machine should be physically destroyed.
There is far too much important information on the electronic devices used by most companies to dispose of them in a negligent manner. The only way to ensure such information is destroyed is the physical destruction of each platter. With hard drive shredding Austinbusinesses protect themselves as well as their clients.
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