Privacy: How to Protect Your Client’s

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Privacy is one of the biggest and most pressing topics in today’s world of business. When privacy and protecting clients’ personal information is not taken seriously, it can bring even the biggest corporations to their knees; but when it’s handled correctly, privacy procedures can boost your clients’ confidence and help you stay protected from concerns over confidential information. It’s absolutely essential that businesses, no matter the size, take steps to keep their clients’ information safe. Here are just a few simple ways that you can do this.

Have a Privacy Audit Performed

Privacy laws today are comprehensive and difficult to navigate for the uninformed or underprepared, which is why having a professional third-party assessment is essential. Privacy audits are an excellent way to see how you’re doing right now, and a great way to see what steps you need to take moving forward. The right auditors can show you where you need to improve and what sorts of issues you could have in the future. Without an audit, knowing where you stand can be difficult and potentially dangerous. One of the best ways to have an accurate and useful audit is to have your books in order. AF Accounting can help you track all of your financial records to keep your company operating smoothly, which can help your privacy audit be more efficient and effective.

Have a Privacy Statement Posted Where Everyone Can See

You know those privacy statements that are posted on websites? Those statements perform an important legal function, even if you haven’t bothered to read it. A privacy statement helps you protect yourself from potential issues and helps your clients understand where and how their information is stored, used, and distributed. It’s best to have a comprehensive privacy policy posted on your website, but be sure to include a less technical and more approachable version as well. This will communicate your dedication to maintaining your client’s privacy.

Take Only What You Need (and keep it secure)

There are plenty of businesses that collect unnecessary personal information from their clients, a move that only sets them up for future disasters. A better idea is to instead take only what you need and nothing more. This will help you streamline various procedures with your clients and help you keep only the pertinent information. Any information you do keep should be secure. That means paper copies in fire rated safes or cabinets that are only accessible by those who need access. It also means keeping your digital files safe as well, preferably through stringent security procedures set up by experts.

This has become a pressing and important issue in today’s business world. One single lapse in security or protocol has cost businesses thousands, if not millions, and can result in less business in the future. Rather than become subject to a personal information scandal, take the necessary precautions to protect your clients’ personal information. It can help you build trust with your valued customers, all the while protecting you from potential legal issues in the future.

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