Attention Business Owners: You Are the Key to Prevention of Identity Theft and Liable for Negligence

Identity theft is a growing problem for consumers who are advised to take precautions; but that is only half of the equation. Businesses collect and maintain these records on a daily basis. Boris Parad, Principal of Parad Law Offices and well-known author on "Commercial Espionage" specializes in intellectual property law and provides businesses with best practices on how to protect the personal information of their customers.

Skokie, IL (PRWEB) January 12, 2004 --Discussions on preventing identity theft often focus on steps consumers can take, such as shredding their trash and restricting access to their Social Security number (SSN). But realistically, while such measures can reduce the odds of becoming a victim, there is little consumers can do to actually prevent identity theft. The key to prevention, rather, is for businesses to establish responsible information-handling practices. Failure to protect the private information of your employees and customers from infiltration and theft can be constituted as negligent and leave you open for litigation.
Boris Parad, Principal of Parad Law Offices, recommends the following strategies:
•   Develop comprehensive privacy policy that includes responsible info-handling practices.
•   Adhere to responsible info-handling practices such as proper document disposal (shredding).
•   Conduct regular staff training, new employee orientations, spot checks on proper info care.
•   Put limits on data collection to minimum info needed. For example, is SSN really required?
•   Put limits on data disclosure. For example, must SSN be printed on paychecks, parking permits, staff badges, time sheets, training program rosters, lists of who got promoted, on monthly account statements, on client reports, etc.
•   Restrict data access to staff with legitimate need to know; electronic audit trails; strict penalties for browsing and illegitimate access.
•   Conduct employee background checks. Screen cleaning services, temp services, etc.
•   Include responsible information-handling practices in business school courses, even in elementary schools when children are exposed to computers.
Boris Parad is a civil litigation and intellectual property attorney. He has represented major corporations in technology transfer, competitive intelligence collection and proprietary information protection matters. He has been listed in Who's Who in American Law and his business protection guides have been published in Europe and the United States. Parad has litigated cases in both federal and state courts in Illinois, Colorado, Michigan and argued cases in the Illinois appellate courts. His background and the firms services are described at www.ParadFirm.com or he can be reached directly at bparad@paradfirm.com
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