By Sandra Guile
Better Business Bureau
National Data Privacy Day is Saturday, January 28 and it’s the perfect time to make an important business resolution: build trust with your customers by respecting a valuable asset you want them to share with your business – their personal data.
No matter the size of the business, a cybercrime of any type – including a security breach or data hack – can put personal information at risk anytime and anywhere. Safeguarding privacy is one of the eight BBB Standards for Trust, and while it is a requirement for all BBB Accredited Businesses, it’s generally important for any business for any business. There are a few reasons why National Data Privacy Day is a good day to start taking steps to protect your customers’ data.
Transparency builds trust
When a retailer asks a consumer for an email address or to apply for a store credit card, they are usually added to a mailing list and kept informed of future sales or they’re sent exclusive coupons. Even if a business isn’t in the retail industry, it’s still important to be honest and open about how and why the customer data is used or shared. If a customer asks about what your business with their information, explain your methods without referring them to the company privacy policy. Communicate through multiple channels to be sure they get the message. Then, follow through with the staff to ensure your practices are consistent with customer’s expectations. Collection or use of inappropriate data can harm your business’s reputation even if the intent was good. Make sure your public statements about privacy reflect your actual practices.
Be aware of what’s being shared
People using your company’s services or products should fully understand how you’re collecting, using, and sharing personal data and have the option to opt out if they choose. Again, employees are encouraged to be on board about safeguarding this information and monitor the data protection practices of the partners and vendors with whom the data is shared.
Personal data is like money. Respect it. Protect it.
Personal data can be a valuable asset for your business when it comes to marketing and customer retention. However, it’s even more valuable to your customers; it’s important to avoid collecting more data than what’s absolutely necessary for business purposes. Having effective security measures is critical to keep this information safe and will keep your reputation and your customers’ data protected.
Check the NCSA website for more information on safeguarding data, then visit bbb.org for more information about reviewing your business’s privacy practices.
Sandra Guile is the Community Outreach Specialist for BBB. She promotes BBB’s message of marketplace ethics through public speaking engagements, presentations, media relations, press releases, web content, and other written materials. Tune in Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. with Scott Sloan on 700WLW for The Scam of the Week and every third Thursday with Brian Thomas on 55KRC. Also, tune in Tuesdays at 8:05 a.m. on WIOI AM in Portsmouth for BBB Chat with Chip Maillet and every third Monday on WNXT AM for Community Corner with James Bussa.