With frequent news coverage about data escaping government (and other) offices and posing potential security failures, more customers are feeling a little insecure about their personal information.

Here are a few practices you can implement to make sure that no personal data escapes your company:

• Don’t copy any data to your laptop, PDA or cell phone. You may bring these electronics to work with you, but be sure to keep the data within the confines of your secure company. The security that you may have on your personal electronics is probably not as impenetrable, nor are they monitored by the Information Technology (IT) department in your company.
• Keep your work inside your office. Don’t be tempted to take sensitive data home, or anywhere else, to work on. If you have extra work that you want to catch up on, talk to your supervisor about times when it’s best to complete that work.
• Use only a secure server. If you do receive permission to work on your personal computer or laptop outside of your office, make sure you’re accessing the Internet with a secure server. Use a password-protected connection that you or someone you know and trust created.

Filed under: Customer Service Corner