Partner Now: IT and Privacy Professionals

Isn’t it time that you partnered with privacy professional?  How many times are you asked in your business about privacy rules, laws and regulations?  Isn’t it time to expand your business by adding privacy consulting to your services?

Security of information is not complete without a review of the privacy implications.  Laws such as HIPPA, the FTC Red Flag Rules and the new Massachusetts regulations call for not only technological safeguards but for on-going privacy regulatory compliance.   In these days of economic depression, there are strengths in numbers and IT security professionals should partner with privacy professionals to deliver a full services menu of consulting services to clients.

In my April article in the Privacy Advisor, I advocated for the combination of privacy with security offices to provide for greater protection of personal information and suggested using the state of California as a model.  (To read the article, go to www.barachlaw.com)  This government model allows for a holistic approach to information management by delivering security and privacy services within one office.  This approach is an exemplary example of how IT professionals can work with privacy pros to deliver full-service to customers and clients.

Data breaches continue to cause significant harm to the bottom line.   The Associated Press reported today that the Heartland Payment Systems security breach contributed to a first-quarter loss of 2.5 million for the company.  Expenses related to the breach accounted for $12.6 million and counting. 

As a result of the breach, Heartland is developing an end-to-end encryption system.  The technological solution will allow Heartland to prevent future data breaches, but without a continued emphasis on privacy training, compliance and regulations Heartland will only tackle half of the problem.  And therein lies the opportunity for IT and privacy professionals.  By providing a full slate of consulting services, privacy and security pros can help businesses prevent data breaches and increase not only their client’s bottom line, but their own bottom line as well.  A win-win.