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How to Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing is a fraudulent practice cybercriminals use to compromise computers and steal sensitive information from individuals by pretending to be an email from—or the website of—a trusted organization. Recently, phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated and varied, targeting organizations of all sizes. In this blog, we offer several tips for protecting your company from phishing scams.

Educate Your Employees

Cybercriminals exploit the vulnerabilities of employees. Therefore, educating your staff about phishing threats is critical. Your employees should always question whether they should open an attachment or click on a link to a site. Teach them to confirm that the link they are about to click on will send them to a legitimate, secure site. The validity of websites should always be reviewed. Check the spelling of website URLs and links, and make sure the link fits with the content of the email. If your employees receive questionable emails or attachments, they should delete them or forward them to your IT department for investigation. Remember, educating your employees is more than providing one training session; make ongoing education part of your phishing prevention plan.

Keep Your Systems Current

Many phishing scams involve impersonating trusted websites. If you don’t check the URL of a website before logging in, you may unknowingly hand over sensitive information to an attacker. Make sure every computer on your corporate network uses the HTTPS Everywhere extension to verify correct URLs. Install the latest patches and updates on all company devices to protect against software vulnerabilities and security issues.

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your data while it is being transmitted. A VPN renders your local IP address anonymous, making it harder for a phishing attacker to steal your login credentials. A VPN can significantly boost online security for your business.

Use Anti-Spam Software

Spam filters can reduce the number of potential email phishing attacks, but they require constant tweaking and updating. Anti-spam software automatically reduces the volume of corporate spam and provides real-time protection from phishing threats. Any number of anti-spam software providers can provide a solution for your business.

Update Password Policies

Using one password for every login is a big mistake. Everyone in your organization should be using a unique password for each application and website. Long, complex phrases with letters, characters and numbers are more secure than words. Require your employees to use two-factor authentication to fortify their logins. That way, a code is sent to an employee’s phone to verify their login attempt.

Phishing threats may be frighteningly common, but by following these tips, you can help protect your organization from a security breach.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

5 Paper Shredding Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid Mistake words in 3d letters and a green arrow over the word to illustrate preventing a problem, error, difficulty or inaccuracyIn today’s high-tech world, the number of data breaches keeps rising. No business is safe, so every business needs a complete information security plan. Yet, many business owners focus on digital risks while ignoring paper-based vulnerabilities. Document destruction mistakes can be just as disastrous as cyberattacks and viruses. Here are five paper shredding mistakes to avoid:

Mistake 1: Not Having a Document Shredding Policy

Do your employees know what to do with outdated documents and expired hard copy records? Is there a formal document destruction policy in your organization? Without clearly-defined document destruction standards, your company is vulnerable to identity theft, business fraud, and increased liability exposure. Implement a document shredding policy for everyone to follow.

Mistake 2: Holding On to Documents Too Long

Many organizations make the mistake of hoarding outdated documents. But keeping paper records beyond their required retention period can create legal risks for your company. When documents reach their final disposition date, destroy them.

Mistake 3: Shredding with an Office Shredder

Using an office shredder seems like a good idea at first, but if you’ve used one for a while, you know how problematic these machines can be. Paper shredders are prone to overheating, paper jams, and other maintenance issues. When your paper shredder is inoperable, you can’t destroy documents. Plus, documents shredded with an office shredder can be easily reconstructed.

A professional paper shredding service offers a much more secure and efficient way to destroy your documents. Outsourced shredding eliminates this time-intensive process. Your shredding company provides secure locked collection containers. Whole files with staples and paperclips can be deposited into the collection containers in a matter of seconds, and your documents are destroyed with the most advanced shredding technology available.

Mistake 4: Practicing Negligent Paper Recycling Habits

We all want a healthy planet, but that doesn’t mean tossing confidential documents in a recycling bin is a good idea. Thieves scour recycling bins looking for carelessly discarded documents with sensitive information. Fortunately, with a secure, environmentally-responsible shredding service, your documents are destroyed and sent to a recycling partner for secure recycling. It’s a two-for-one solution that protects your privacy and protects our planet!

Mistake 5: Not Using a NAID AAA Certified Shredding Provider

There are many companies that can shred your documents, but not all of them are NAID AAA Certified. The National Association for Information Destruction(NAID) is the international, non-profit trade association for companies providing information destruction services. NAID’s mission is to educate businesses, industry, and government entities about the importance of destroying discarded information, promote the value of contract destruction services, and to promote the standards and ethics of its member companies.

NAID AAA Certified member companies must maintain a minimum amount of general liability insurance (umbrella or aggregate) of $2,000,000. They are also audited regularly to verify their ongoing compliance with NAID standards. Choosing a NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction provider ensures unparalleled privacy protection for your information.

If you want to protect your information, don’t make these paper shredding mistakes.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

Beyond Paper: What Else Does Your Shredding Provider Offer?

fist-punching-through-paperShredding outdated paper records is essential for maintaining the privacy of your customers, protecting your business reputation, and complying with state and federal regulations. But document shredding isn’t the only step you need to take. For a comprehensive privacy protection solution, see if your shredding provider offers the following services:

Media Destruction

Every privacy protection plan should include a final disposition solution for expired and unwanted computer media. Partner with a shredding and destruction company who offers a turnkey disposal solution for the following electronic/magnetic media devices:

  • Hard drives
  • Flash drives
  • Zip disks
  • Magnetic backup tapes
  • CDs, Blu-rays, and DVDs
  • Credit cards and other magnetic-stripe cards
  • VHS and cassette tapes
  • Floppy disks
  • Optical disk drives

Product Destruction

If you’re a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer and thieves scavenge discarded products from your dumpster, your brand may suffer permanent damage. Check to see whether your shredding provider offers product destruction services that allow you to securely dispose of defective merchandise, sensitive products, prototypes, and other products regulated by law.

eWaste Recycling

Every year, millions of tons of corporate electronic waste are dumped in landfills. To help protect the planet, partner with a shredding and destruction provider that offers eWaste Recycling services. They pick up your electronic waste and transfer it to trusted recycler for environmentally-responsible recycling or disposal.

Policy and Procedure Consulting

There are laws and regulations your company must adhere to when managing, retaining and disposing of sensitive documents. A shredding and destruction partner offering policy and procedure consulting helps your organization set up guidelines and standards for information retention and final disposition.

Identity Theft Training

Identity thieves prey on companies with sensitive personal, financial, and medical data. Since your employees are the first line of defense against identity theft, educate them on how to protect confidential information. A shredding and destruction company that offers identity theft training ensures your staff has a thorough understanding of identity theft risks and prevention strategies.

HIPAA Compliance Training

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) affects any organization storing, handling, and/or transmitting protected health information (PHI). HIPAA compliance is monitored and enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR). HIPAA non-compliance penalties include monetary fines and possible jail time for corporate officers. Partnering with a shredding and destruction company that offers HIPAA physician compliance training ensures your information disposal policies practices comply with the law.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

The Laws Affecting Your Information Destruction Practices

Every business should destroy expired documents and data, but in many industries, information disposal is the law. Non-compliance can damage your bottom line and ruin your business reputation. Here’s an overview of several federal regulations that may affect your business:

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)

FACTA, one of America’s oldest privacy laws, was established in 1970 to protect consumers from identity theft. Financial institutions and creditors are required to create and implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program to help detect and prevent identity theft. FACTA’s Disposal Rule requires businesses to take “reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of consumer information,” including during disposal.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Enacted in 1972, FERPA prevents educational institutions from distributing student records to anyone other than parents or approved organizations without written permission. If student information is breached, an organization held responsible can be subject to a withholding of federal funds and payments. As a result, educational institutions must dispose of student records in a secure and verifiable manner.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Like FACTA, GLBA requires financial institutions to develop and maintain a written information security plan for protecting consumer information. GLBA requirements include:

  • Designation of at least one employee to manage safeguards
  • Risk analysis plans for each department handling personal information
  • Developing, testing and monitoring an information security program
  • Changing safeguards as needed

To meet these requirements, your business should have a clear and concise plan for how records are stored, controlled, accessed and destroyed.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA was enacted in 1996, establishing rules for protecting patient privacy. The law affects any organization storing, handling, and/or transmitting protected health information (PHI). HIPAA compliance is monitored and enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

Hospitals, pharmacies, primary care providers, medical clinics are considered HIPAA “covered entities.” Organizations providing services to covered entities are considered “business associates.” Both must comply with HIPAA’s Privacy Rule and Security Rule by implementing physical, administrative and technical safeguards for PHI. Penalties for lack of compliance, including improper disposal of PHI, may result in monetary fines and possible jail time for corporate officers.

One of the best ways to meet the requirements of these privacy laws is to partner with a company offering NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction and employee compliance training services.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

6 Tips for Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month

For many Americans, December is the most festive time of year—full of generosity, celebration and good cheer. It’s also prime time for identity theft, which is why December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. In this blog, we offer several tips to help you keep identity theft scrooges at bay.

1. Think Before You Swipe

Identity thieves have a deep bag of tricks, and “skimmers” are one of them. Gas station credit card readers and stand-alone ATMs are sometimes compromised with skimmers. Attached to gas pump payment terminals and stand-alone ATMs, these devices are designed to steal data from your credit card’s magnetic strip when you swipe. Skimmers are very hard to spot, as thieves design them to look and feel legitimate. When buying gas, consider paying inside instead of at the pump. And withdrawing cash at your bank’s drive-up window is safer than using an ATM, so try to plan ahead.

2. Stay on Top of Your Mail

December is the prime month for mailing gifts and receiving home deliveries, which means it’s also open season for mail theft. Delivered packages can sit for hours or days on front porches and mailboxes are often stuffed with outgoing letters, cards, and bill payments.

Know your mail delivery schedule and track incoming package deliveries so you can promptly retrieve your packages. If you won’t be at home, instruct your delivery provider to leave packages on the back porch or with a neighbor. Don’t leave greeting cards with checks in your mailbox for your carrier to retrieve. Drop them off at your local post office instead. When possible, avoid putting bill payments in the mail to begin with. Instead, pay your bills online. Most service providers have secure electronic payment systems; sign up for them.

3. Make Online Purchases at Home

One of conveniences we enjoy is being able to buy something online—anytime, from anywhere. But this convenience comes at a cost. Free, public WiFi hotspots are often unencrypted, which makes it easy for a criminal to steal your credit card data while you’re making online purchases. Wait until you get home to buy your holiday gifts from your secure home network. Otherwise, only connect to a free, public Wi-Fi hotspot if you have a virtual private network (VPN) installed on your device.

4. Keep a Close Eye on Your Devices

Identity thieves don’t only lurk online. Stay aware of your surroundings when at crowded airports and malls during the holiday season. Pickpockets capitalize on distracted shoppers and travelers. Store your wallet, smart phone, laptop and passport securely in your pocket or bag.

5. Watch Your Credit Activity

You should monitor your credit activity year-round, but especially in December. The more you swipe, the more your data is at risk of being stolen. You’re entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. If you haven’t requested one this year, act now.

6. Shred Your Documents

Every receipt, bank statement, and shipping label with your name and address that lands in the trash increases your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. Shred any piece of mail that has sensitive personal or financial information on it.

Wishing you and your family a safe and secure holiday!

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

In-House Shredding vs. Outsourced Shredding

Outsource inhouse concept image with boards hanged with chains.Document shredding is commonplace in most businesses. Who destroys your documents? Do you shred everything in house or do you outsource your shredding? In this blog, we compare both options to help you make an informed decision about how to protect your confidential information.

Efficiency

In-house shredding programs put the responsibility of shredding on employees, who have to push aside core, revenue-generating tasks to shred documents. Destroying a file with an office shredder takes several minutes. Staples and paperclips must be removed so the shredder doesn’t jam. Large files must be separated into small, easy-to-shred portions. And the shredding receptacle must be emptied frequently.
Outsourced shredding eliminates this time-intensive process. Your shredding company provides secure locked collection containers. Whole files with staples and paperclips can be deposited into the collection containers in a matter of seconds. Your documents are securely stowed until your shredding company picks them up for destruction. If you want to maximize your company’s productivity and profits, outsourced shredding is the clear choice.

Security

Inefficient in-house shredding processes compromise the privacy of your information. Busy employees with multiple responsibilities are less likely to shred sensitive documents in a timely manner, and every sheet of paper that goes into the trash can or recycling bin is a potential source of liability for your business.
Outsourced shredding minimizes document disposal risks and errors. Your collection containers are locked and emptied under the close supervision of a professional shredding technician. Certified, insured professionals wearing photo IDs follow strict chain of custody protocols while collecting and destroying your information. Your confidential documents are destroyed right on your premises with state-of-the art mobile shredding trucks.

Cost

In-house shredding expenses add up. Office shredders must be purchased and often need to be repaired. As with any electrical device, their use increases your energy consumption costs. But most importantly, every minute your employees spend shredding means one less minute for revenue-generating activities. Shredding cost per hour drops dramatically when you stop paying your employees to shred and let the professionals handle it instead.

Compliance

Complying with state and federal privacy regulations is a must. HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA require organizations to have written and verifiable information destruction procedures.
Outsourced shredding offers better regulatory compliance than in-house shredding. A Certificate of Destruction is issued each time your documents are shredded. It notes the time, date and method of destruction, verifying your business’ compliance with state and federal privacy laws.
Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

7 Questions to Ask a Shredding and Destruction Provider

a yellow Answers Ahead Road Sign on Cloud Background.Today, identity theft and business fraud crime rates are at an all-time high. That’s why it’s important to partner with a shredding and destruction provider who takes the security of your information seriously. Before hiring a shredding and destruction provider, ask these seven important questions:

1. Are you NAID AAA Certified?

The National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) is the international, non-profit trade association for companies providing information destruction services. NAID’s mission is to educate businesses, industry and government entities about the importance of destroying discarded information, promote the value of contract destruction services, and to promote the standards and ethics of its member companies.

To earn AAA Certification, a shredding and destruction provider must be audited by an independent Certified Protection Professional® (CPP) who is accredited by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International. The following areas are assessed during a AAA Certification audit:

  • Operational and facility security
  • Information destruction processes
  • Employee hiring practices

NAID AAA Certified member companies must maintain a minimum amount of general liability insurance (umbrella or aggregate) of $2,000,000. They are also audited regularly to verify their ongoing compliance with NAID standards. Choosing a NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction provider ensures unparalleled privacy protection for your information.

2. How are my documents destroyed?

Before choosing a shredding and destruction provider, ask about their document destruction processes. For recurring scheduled shredding service, security containers should be strategically placed throughout your facility, allowing sensitive documents to be discarded fast and securely. For one-time purges, you should have the option of having security containers delivered in advance.

The contents of the containers should be collected by a trained professional for on-site shredding at your facility. After your shredding project is completed, you should receive a Certificate of Destruction for your compliance records.

3. Do you destroy media? If so, what kind?

Every privacy protection plan should include a final disposition solution for expired and unwanted computer media. Partner with a shredding and destruction company who offers a turnkey solution for both your paper records and electronic/magnetic media, including:

  • Hard drives
  • Flash drives
  • Zip disks
  • Magnetic backup tapes
  • CDs, Blu-rays, and DVDs
  • Credit cards and other magnetic-stripe cards
  • VHS and cassette tapes
  • Floppy disks
  • Optical disk drives

4. Do you destroy other items besides documents and media?

If your company produces merchandise, prototypes, or other branded, proprietary, or legally-regulated products, make sure they’re responsibly destroyed. A shredding and destruction partner who offers product destruction ensures your intellectual property and trade secrets are securely destroyed so your company stays compliant with laws and regulations.

5. What is your employee screening process?

Only certified, insured, uniformed and badged professionals should collect and destroy your confidential information. Make sure your shredding and destruction provider conducts rigorous background checks on its employees so you know only the most qualified people have access to your company’s sensitive information.

6. Do you offer on-site or off-site shredding?

Many shredding and destruction companies transport your documents and data offsite for destruction. But on the way from your business to the shredding facility, anything can happen to your information.

On-site shredding eliminates potential theft and unauthorized access to your documents and data. Choose a shredding and destruction partner who destroys your information on-site at your facility with mobile destruction trucks equipped with video verification systems.

7. Is my paper and e-waste recycled?

Besides safeguarding your information, a shredding and destruction service should incorporate green recycling practices. Make sure your shredding and destruction provider partners with a local recycling company who recycles your paper and disposes of your e-waste in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Remember to ask these seven essential questions when choosing a shredding and destruction provider for your business.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified shredding and destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

VIProfile: Don Gerard by VIP Bowling Green Magazine

Don Gerard and his team at Land Shark Shredding, headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, are so much more than shredders. A more accurate description for Gerard and his capable team would be to call them professional security experts. And they take their jobs very seriously.

“We are not folks who ‘just shred’ stuff,” he said. “I mean technically, yes, we do shred stuff, but there is a lot more to what we do than just shredding. We are not a shredding company. We are a security company that happens to also shred paper.”

Read more on VIPBowlingGreen.com or Download Full Article

Why NAID AAA Certification is Important

Any company can destroy documents and data, but not all shredding and destruction providers adhere to the same ethics and standards. In this blog, we discuss what NAID AAA Certification is and why it’s important when choosing a shredding and destruction provider.

What Is NAID?

The National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) is the international, non-profit trade association for companies providing information destruction services. NAID’s mission is to educate businesses, industry and government entities about the importance of destroying discarded information, promote the value of contract destruction services, and promote the standards and ethics of its member companies.

What is NAID AAA Certification?

NAID AAA Certification is a voluntary certification that shredding and destruction service providers can earn. To earn AAA Certification, a shredding and destruction provider must be audited by an independent Certified Protection Professional® (CPP) who is accredited by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International. The following areas are assessed during a AAA Certification audit:

  • Operational and facility security
  • Information destruction processes
  • Employee hiring practices

NAID AAA Certified member companies must maintain a minimum amount of general liability insurance (umbrella or aggregate) of $2,000,000. They are also audited regularly to verify their ongoing compliance with NAID standards.

Security

Because strict auditing processes are required to achieve and keep their certification, AAA Certified shredding and destruction providers implement stringent security measures. Rigorous background checks are performed on all personnel. Secure collection containers are used to collect your confidential information. Whether you choose a one-time shredding service or a scheduled shredding solution, your information is handled and destroyed within a strict chain of custody.

Regulatory Compliance

A NAID AAA Certified mobile shredding and destruction provider does more than just destroy your documents and media. They help your company comply with state and federal privacy regulations, including the following:

  • The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA)
  • The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

These laws mandate that companies who handle personally identifiable information (PII) have written and verifiable information destruction procedures.

A NAID AAA Certified mobile shredding and destruction provider helps your business meet these requirements by destroying your information onsite. Video verification systems allow you can watch the secure shredding process from start to finish. When your destruction project is complete, you receive a Certificate of Destruction.

NAID AAA Certification is the gold standard for information destruction companies. Make sure your next shredding and destruction provider is NAID AAA Certified.

Land Shark Shredding offers NAID AAA Certified on-site mobile destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

Data Security Tips for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cubed background in different sizes and red colors aligning to a row of glowing information security icons surrounding the word cybersecurity 3D illustrationAutumn is here, and Halloween is just around the corner, but did you know October is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month? It’s a great opportunity to review your data security practices. In this blog, we’re helping you get started with five cybersecurity tips:

1. Protect Your Devices

Your mobile devices allow you to work anywhere, anytime. As a result, your data is always at risk. That’s why it’s essential to make sure your devices are always protected. Password protect your laptop, tablet and smartphone, and make sure they’re equipped with the latest security software. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public and private WiFi networks.

2. Protect Your Website

It’s not just big corporations that are hacked; every day, thousands of small businesses fall victim to malware. Unsecure websites offer an easy gateway for cybercriminals. Make sure your website is protected with a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate. SSL encrypts data going to and from your website so it can’t be stolen and misused. SSL is becoming the standard for all websites, and Google is labeling websites without it “unsecure.”

3. Be Careful When Paying at The Pump

Gas station credit card readers are often compromised with “skimmers.” These devices are attached to credit card readers in order to swipe the data from your credit card’s magnetic strip when you pay at the pump. To avoid having your credit card account hacked, pay with cash or use your card inside. The few extra minutes it takes is worth avoiding identity theft.

4. Back Up Your Data

Ransomware attacks are on the rise. Imagine having your corporate data stolen and then having to pay an enormous sum to get it back. Schedule regular backups of your business files and applications and store a duplicate copy offsite. When your backup tapes reach the end of their retention lifecycle, destroy them with an electronic/magnetic media destruction service.

5. Don’t Forget about Non-Digital Data

We’re so focused on digital information that it’s easy to forget about protecting your hard copy information. But criminals still use low-tech methods to steal confidential business data. Your trash and recycling bins are low-lying fruit.

A mobile shredding service keeps your information out of dumpsters and recycling bins. A background-screened, professional destruction specialist visits your business on a regular basis to collect and destroy your documents on-site with a state-of-the-art mobile shredding truck. Your documents are destroyed with NAID AAA Certified processes while you watch. You receive a Certificate of Destruction when your shredding project is complete.

Remember, data security awareness isn’t just for October—you can practice these tips all year long!

Land Shark Shredding offers on-site mobile destruction services in Bowling Green and throughout southwest Kentucky. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.