Security breaches and other security failures are costly in terms of time, money and loss of business. Failure to protect and destroy private information on CDs, DVDs and harddrives may have catastrophic consequences: financial loss, irreparable damage to a company’s reputation, as well as civil and criminal liability for Directors and Officers.

FEDERAL PROTECTION FOR PRIVATE DATA
Many types of information are now protected by Federal laws such as HIPPA, FACTA, Sarbannes-Oxley, and the Grahmm-Leach-Bliley Act. This data is required by law to be protected from unauthorized access.

References: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/disposal.shtm

Ponemon study show high cost of data breaches

FACTA rule for disposal of sensitive consumer data.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

HIPAA privacy rule summary

NIST special publication 800-88 media sanitization guidelines

Excellent computer security resources at www.attrition.org

For up to date privacy issues, visit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse