New Year’s Resolutions — Privacy & Security

Since it's traditionally the time for new beginnings and resolutions to clear away old habits, we'd like to pass on some tips for improving privacy and security in your operations — and in your own life — in 2012.

1. Be sure to secure.

Many data breaches occur by leaving sensitive information lying around the office. Keep documents containing sensitive data and personally identifiable information locked up. A clean desk is a safe desk. Also, make this the time to secure your home network. Since many online banking and other types of activities occur across a home network, why allow drive-by hackers to compromise your information?

2. Encrypt, Encrypt, Encrypt.

When transmitting sensitive information, make sure it is encrypted and transmitted over a secure connection. This is not only a privacy and information security "best practice," it is also required by several laws and industry body regulations, including the HITECH Act (for electronic protected health