By Paul Peterson, Managing Partner, Wiss & Co. LLP
No two companies are the same in culture, work environment or the vulnerabilities inherent in their digital landscape. This makes it very difficult to implement a standard way of protecting workers and customers from external data threats to their privacy and security.
But nothing is more important to your company’s credibility and positive relationships with customers and employees than safeguarding their sensitive data. After all, you’ve seen the economic and reputational damage done to companies ranging from Target to Sony Picture Studios for data breaches that could have been avoided.
You can start addressing potential issues with an honest assessment and a three-step evaluation and action plan.
Start a threat assessment by compiling a picture of the worst danger a data breach might pose. Would you have enraged clients or embarrassed patients? Could your company be humiliated by a release of private communications? (Think Sony Studios.) Would you be facing a public relations nightmare? With a clear risk assessment, you’ll know just how seriously you must take the situation and how quickly you must act.
As a Managing Partner at Wiss & Co. LLP, Paul Peterson oversees firm operations including data security and advises clients on various business issues. Reach him at ppeterson@wiss.visioncreativegroup.com.