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Protecting your Information in the Workplace

Many of us spend just as much time (or more) at work as we do at home. We make friends with our coworkers, develop routines and personalize our workspace. We discuss personal stresses, our vacation plans, place trinkets and family photos around our workspace as if we were decorating our home. These things are what creates a more relaxing and inviting work environment. Unfortunately, when work policies become too lax and procedures are ignored, it also creates the potential for identity compromise and even theft both internally and externally.

Many companies have policies and procedure in place to prevent internal data breaches and external breaches when it comes to protecting their customers and vendors. They monitor emails, place locks on cabinets and doors, create intranet systems, and limit data to specific departments or teams. But how can you, as an employee, do to protect yourself?

  1. If you don’t need it, don’t have it sitting out. No matter if it’s a customer file, a purchase order for a vendor or your own personal information. If you are not using it at that moment, don’t have it available for other’s eyes.
  2. Less is more secure! Many of us create usernames and passwords based on our personal interests. For example, if you’re into college basketball, and have your favorite team covering your workspace it’s not that far of stretch, that you could be using that interest as part of your login credentials. Also, a neat and tidy space, free of clutter helps to maintain more organized work environment.
  3. Lock it up! We lock our cars and our homes to keep out unwanted intruders. By locking up your computer when you’re getting up, locking up your personal items in a desk or locker or locking up sensitive files in a desk or room helps to reduces your risk significantly.

 

Resources

 

Workplace Information Protection

Protecting Your Employees from Identity Theft

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