With the amount of personal information that flows through the typical corporation – including names and addresses, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and other account numbers – identity theft is not just an individual concern. Massive databases filled with personal information about customers, employees, business partners, students or patients accounts can threaten millions if exposed and do irreparable damage to a business. Even a small crime can undermine a company’s compliance status, in addition to the lawsuits and associated damages to reputation that could translate into millions of dollars in losses. Taking concrete steps to avoid identity theft is crucial to a solid information risk and enterprise risk management approach.
In one such major recent event, data breaches resulted in the theft and sale of 41 million credit card numbers. Hackers utilized simple wardriving technique and sniffer programs to intrude into major retailers’ network – stealing customer data, and subjecting both the retailers and customers to untold millions in fraudulent charges and enabling creation of false identity documents.
How Print Security Can Help Prevent Identity Theft
When addressing identity theft, many businesses look first to their electronic systems, where voluminous amounts of personal data reside. While protecting these systems is certainly important, it should not come at the expense of vulnerabilities in print. There are many instances when records must be printed out, either for internal trafficking, or as a proof of identity or transaction. To prevent identity theft associated with these documents, a business must institute multi-level security, including:
Print Restrictions
The simplest and most effective way to prevent identity theft in printed material is to not print sensitive personal information when unnecessary. Changes in or awareness of corporate policy and government regulations will help reduce your volume of print.
Physical Security
Securing documents physically is another easy means to prevent identity theft threats. Lockable file cabinets, safes and other storage units can keep printed material protected when not in use.
Secure Disposal (Shredding)
Shredding is an indispensable part of any print security plan, but is not sufficient by itself. While the safe disposal of sensitive documents is a fundamental precaution, these documents must be protected from identity theft while also in use.
Copy-Proof Technology
Copiers are omnipresent in the modern corporate environment, and serve as easily accessible tools for identity theft. Technology that prevents the duplication of sensitive information cuts off a primary avenue for theft.
Print Encryption
In order to safely print documents and simultaneously protect the information within them, print encryption is ideal. By hiding sensitive information within scrambled print fields, only those with authority to use the information can view it.
How We Help
AuthentiGuard On-Demand affords businesses a means of closing the loop on identity theft prevention associated with printed documents. By securing documents against duplication and protecting their contents, AuthentiGuard goes beyond traditional methods of print security to provide ubiquitous protection against identity theft. Aside from copy-proofing, the technology can also embed watermarks within the document or hide specific, personal information within encryption patterns, thereby undermining the vulnerabilities that identity thieves routinely exploit; while still allowing access to intended constituents. AuthentiGuard On-Demand is the foundational security layer that businesses need to help achieve compliance and eliminate the risks of identity theft.