The Importance of Data Security Truly securing the data of your company and your customers is vital to business success. In

today's world of identity theft and data thieves, many small companies are unfortunately ill-

prepared to handle the heavy weight of the responsibility they have for this data.

Most small businesses understand the importance of providing secure storage for their

customers' data. After all, they've seen the results of improper storage of data. When a

company has to send out a letter to its customers informing them that their private

information has been compromised, customers begin to think twice about doing business

with that company.

How Do Most Businesses Compare?

Although most small business know how important it is to securely store data, they don't

always have a good data storage plan in place. Some business do not understand the need

for formal planning about Data security. Others feel that they can protect their data with

simple common sense.

Unfortunately, relying on common sense and no formal plan is a bad recipe for data storage.

Storing sensitive data in a responsible, secure way requires detailed formal planning and

trained professionals.

What Kind of Data Needs to Be Secure?

Securing data means understand which pieces of information need to be protected and

enacting proper procedures and safeguards to keep this information safe. What type of

information is high priority when it comes to data security?

- Customer Information

Securing the data of customers should be the number one priority for any business. Without

customers, the business would fail. And without data security, the customers will take their

business to a competing company. In today's world-wide economy, customers have many

choices. Securing customer data keeps customers happy.

- Product Information

In many industries, protecting information about new and existing products is also a priority.

Competing companies may be looking for a leg up and could find that help by using stolen

data. Innovation is key to surviving in most businesses, and in order to protect its intellectual

property, a company needs to pay attention to Data security.

- Employee Information

Most companies have detailed personal information about employees, such as Social Security

Numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, and employment records. It's vital to the success

of a business to protect the interests of its employees. Employees are what make a company

successful.

- Company Information

It is important for many companies to protect financial information and other data about the

business. If accessible to unauthorized users, this information could harm the business's

reputation or provide impetus for legal action against the company. Protecting company

information is essential.

How Private Data Centers Provide Security

For many companies, the solution to the challenge of data security is hiring a private data

center. The private data center is then responsible for providing secure storage for this

important data, freeing the company to focus on other areas of business that are integral to

success.

Private data centers usually have multiple layers of data security. Physically, private data

center buildings usually have security guards and surveillance cameras to watch over the

important data around the clock. Card key access is required for physical entry into private

data centers, providing a record of who has access to sensitive information.

Many companies find that they value the peace of mind of having their data protected at a

private data center. It eliminates the hassle and expense of putting proper security features

in place, training existing staff, and hiring new dedicated staff. And knowing that important

information is secure helps companies focus on their own products and services.