Is your company keeping information secure?

Most companies keep sensitive personal information in their files and on their computers—names, Social Security numbers, account data—that identifies customers or employees. You’ll need information like that to fill orders, meet payroll, or perform other necessary business functions. But if sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to fraud or identity theft.

Safeguarding sensitive data is just plain good business. Are you taking steps to protect personal information? A sound data security plan is built on five key principles:

• Take stock. Know what personal information you have in your files and on your computers.
• Scale down. Keep only what you need for your business.
• Lock it. Protect the information you keep.
• Pitch it. Properly dispose of what you no longer need.
• Plan ahead. Create a plan to respond to security incidents.

more detail at http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity