Protecting Digital Data with Vendor Agreements

Since the Target data breach, safeguarding digital data has been a hot topic for all business owners in all industries. In fact, according to the New York Times , many companies have been asking for confirmation from their lawyers and other professionals that protections have been put in place to ensure that their confidential information is safe.

One important aspect for business owners to consider is the security measures being implemented by their vendors. No vendor should be shocked by this request and should be willing to provide proof the tools it uses to ensure your business’s digital data is protected. By requesting this information from your vendor, you can reduce your exposure to risk as well as hold your vendor accountable for a breach. This type of discussion will encourage your vendors to remain current on the measures they use to safeguard your company’s sensitive data.

So, what factor should you discuss with your vendor? First, you should make sure you fully understand how the vendor distributes confidential information. For instance, private digital files should not be emailed to unsecure devices. You should also have your vendor explain whether their computers are linked to shared networks that could make your information vulnerable to hackers. Additionally, your vendors should provide you with a list of any employees who will be granted access to your business’s private information. Finally, your vendor should provide you with evidence of the digital security tools that will be used to safeguard your digital data.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your confidential information and ensuring that your vendor agreements do the same, contact the legal team at The Swenson Law Firm for assistance.

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