Posts Tagged ‘data security’

Customers’ Concerns About Data Security Could Keep Them From Buying From You

November 10th, 2011 :: Karen Axelton

By Karen Axelton

How much personal information do you ask your customers to provide before they can buy from you, download information from your website or receive a newsletter or other information from you? For many consumers, it’s too much, according to a recent survey by LoyaltyOne reported in HubSpot.

And 85 percent say they “often” feel concerned about how much of their personal information companies have access to. There’s good reason for them to worry: Almost one in three consumers in the survey (32 percent) reported having had personal information stolen or compromised at one time or another.

In addition, consumers feel there often is no benefit to them in return for the risks they take by providing information to businesses. Some 88 percent believe that collecting personal information primarily benefits companies, not the consumer. Nearly three-fourths (74 percent) say they don’t receive a benefit in return for giving out their personal information. While companies often say collecting information is done to serve customers better, just 52 percent thought that sharing their information actually led to better service.

Just what do your customers expect to get in return for their personal information? More than half (55 percent) expect notice of exclusive offers, discounts or events, while 54 percent expect improved customer service. Forty-one percent expect advance notice about new products and services; the same number expect to get personalized communications based on their preferences.

Fears and concerns about privacy have serious ramifications for small businesses. Nearly one-fourth (23 percent) of consumers in the survey said they decided against making a purchase because they weren’t sure how a company would use their personal information.

And when their security is affected, customers are “once burned, twice shy.” Among those consumers who have been notified that their data has been compromised, the number who had decided against a purchase due to security worries rose to 30 percent; among those who had suffered negative results from data theft, it reached 37 percent.

What can you do to help make consumers more comfortable with your privacy policies? First, of course, make sure that the data you collect are secure by taking appropriate technology measures. Second, make consumers aware of your policies by clearly stating your privacy policy online. Third, ask for only the information you need—not more. Use your common sense–if someone is making a major purchase from you for the first time, get all the information you need to protect yourself from loss. However, if you’re having someone sign up for an enewsletter, their email address could be all you need. Be flexible, start small and get more data from the user as you build trust.

Image by Flickr user Mike (Creative Commons)

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Tags: data security, small business
Posted in Business Development, Marketing, Sales Process, sales process, Small Business, small business, Technology | 1 Comment »

Are Your Employees Putting Your Data Security at Risk?

October 5th, 2011 :: Rieva Lesonsky

By Rieva Lesonsky

Are you worried that employees’ online practices are putting your company data at risk? Breathe a sigh of relief: According to new research from Internet security service company Webroot, the first, 95 percent of workers say they respect the importance of their employer’s measures for protecting their network and customer information.

But don’t relax completely: Webroot did find that some 25 percent of employees have tried to bypass company security policies at some point. “Employees at all levels still introduce risk to a corporate network through activities like surfing the Web, shopping online, planning personal events and accessing personal email accounts while at work,” said Jacques Erasmus, chief information security officer for Webroot, in announcing the survey results.

89 percent of employees believe that their employers’ security policies help prevent infections or viruses on the company network.
75 percent agree security policies are a necessary evil.
Just 7 percent of employees expressed concern that employers monitor their online activities.
61 percent said their employers’ security policies “never” or “rarely” make it harder to do their jobs.

Here are some of the security policies that companies use:

Login password for company computers: 84 percent;
Program download restrictions: 55 percent
Restrictions on accessing network outside of the office: 37 percent
Two-factor authentication for network or computer access: 20 percent

Of those who skirt around corporate security policies, younger employees (aged 18 to 29) were slightly more likely to do so. Some 15 percent had used a mobile device to do activities prohibited at work, compared to 6 percent overall. Twelve percent admitted they had accessed prohibited sites from a mobile device, compared to 5 percent overall. And 6 percent had manipulated browser settings, compared to 3 percent overall.

If you want to tighten your Web security policies, here are four steps Webroot security experts recommend:

Define security policies – With a new generation of Web-based attacks, spyware, adware and webmail‑borne viruses, it’s more important than ever to develop well-thought-out and clearly defined web security policies.
Embrace social media – Social networks are new mediums for digital threats to your business. Build these into your policy and create rules that allow employees to harness the benefits of these new technologies while protecting your business.
Clearly communicate your policies – Regularly communicate policies as well as IT and security issues to your staff.
Block threats before they reach your network – Using a cloud-based Web security service can protect mobile employees as if they were at the office, while monitoring and enforcing your Web security policies.

Image by Flickr user Dusk Photography (Creative Commons)

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Tags: data security, small business employees, small business technology
Posted in Business Law, Compliance, Small Business, small business, social media, Technology, Workforce | No Comments »