One of the biggest problems faced by businesses across every sector is the leakage of data and sensitive information. This can happen in a variety of ways. For example, perhaps a business fails to shred an important printed document. Or maybe, a hard-drive that hasn’t been wiped clean or destroyed falls into the wrong hands.
Here are a few reasons why every business should have a data destruction policy.
- Maintains Reputation
First of all, having measures to ensure the secure destruction of your company data can help maintain your reputation. If important information finds its way into the wrong hands, the result can be catastrophic.
Most clients assume that your business will provide them with the highest level of discretion possible. If sensitive information about your clients were to get out, this would result in a huge hit to your business’s credibility.
- Provides Peace of Mind
Not only does a data destruction policy help protect your company, but it also protects your sanity. It can be extremely stressful to lay awake at night wondering if competitors or criminals are out there trying to gain access to your business’s most sensitive information.
Not only can this information be used to copy your ideas, but it can also be used to sabotage your business. Safe to say, neither of these scenarios is desirable.
If you have measures in place to destroy this data, these thoughts will likely not even cross your mind!
- Prevents Legal Issues
The last thing you need is a lawsuit on your hands. If your data contains certain information about clients or customers and it isn’t destroyed, you risk having that data fall into the wrong hands.
When this happens, clients may want compensation for the damages that have occurred. Not only will this damage your relationship with the client who’s data got leaked, but it can also prevent future prospects from choosing to do business with you.
However, there is a solution. Implement a data destruction policy and you can be sure that this will never happen to you!
- Prevents Intellectual Theft
If things like patents or ideas get into the wrong hands, you risk having someone steal your business right out from underneath you. No one likes having their ideas stolen. And it’s even worse to have your ideas stolen and used by competitors against you.
A data destruction policy helps to make sure that all documents, hard drives, and record-keeping methods are properly disposed of so you can rest assured intellectual theft will not be an issue.
Need help with your business’s data destruction?
Western Archive’s experienced team has been helping Edmonton businesses destroy sensitive information for years. Whether you need to shred paper documents or hard drives, they can help! Contact them today to learn more.