With the holiday season in full swing, it's common for individuals to give thanks and be grateful for friends, family and personal possessions. Companies across multiple industries want to ensure that they have a comprehensive business continuity plan, which they will be thankful for on the off chance of a security breach.
Even if sensitive data is exposed, business resumption can be quick when an organization can quickly stop a leak and guarantee that employee or customer data is once again secure. Of course, preventing any type of breach is always preferable.
The Nassau County Police Department is currently trying to determine how certain information was exposed late last week. According to reports, during Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade, some of the shredded papers thrown as confetti turned out to be filled with the names, Social Security numbers of New York police officers.
"The Nassau County Police Department is very concerned about this situation," police spokesman Inspector Kenneth Lack said in a statement. "We will be conducting an investigation into this matter as well as reviewing our procedures for the disposing of sensitive documents."
As reported by Newsday, some shreds included plainclothes detectives' license plate numbers and even confidential details of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney's motorcade route during last month's debate at Hofstra University.
It is currently unclear how the documents became part of the parade's decorations. The Nassau County Police Department statement did not specify who shreds important papers or carts them away.
Security is essential for any organization. In an increasingly digital age, it is crucial for sensitive information to remain protected, ensuring that employees and clients avoid the risk of identity theft. A thorough risk management assessment of necessary safety precautions will help businesses create a disaster recovery plan that accounts for different data breaches.