Issue No. 1 Feb. 10, 2010

Small and medium sized businesses in Massachusetts are paying close attention to the personal information in their workplaces in light of the passage of CMR 17, which aims to protect consumers from data theft. The law goes in to effect in March of 2010, and establishesa standard set of regulations for businesses to protect and store Massachusetts residents’ personal information. NENGroup has a series of checklists and discovery forms to help small business owners through this process. But there are benefits to strong network security beyond compliance with the new law.

We depend on internet connectivity today for transactions, data processing, and information delivery. In a survey of 7,300 business and technology executives worldwide from a variety of industries, including government, health care, financial services and retail by CIO magazine, the large majority admitted they fear attacks from social networking sites. Many of us have received that email purporting to be from Facebook, but actually leading to a virus. But blocking social networking is out of the question for many of these companies as many businesses use these sites for marketing.

According to CIO, “only 23 percent said their security efforts now include provisions to defend Web 2.0 technologies and control what can be posted on social networking sites. One positive sign: Every year, more companies dedicate staff to monitoring how employees use online assets-57 percent this year compared to 50 percent last year and 40 percent in 2006. Thirty-six percent of respondents monitor what employees are posting to external blogs and social networking sites.

To prevent sensitive information from escaping, 65 percent of companies use Web content filters to keep data behind the firewall, and 62 percent make sure they are using the most secure version of whichever browser they choose. Forty percent said that when they evaluate security products, support and compatibility for Web 2.0 is essential. ”

There is no technology available that can change employee behavior, and that is what will really make the difference. Educating companies and their teams about the perils and pitfalls of personal computer use can really make a difference.

Next issue: Identity theft: Are you responsible?
Uptodata is brought to you by New England Network Group.
Find helpful materials on CMR17 compliance at www.nengroup.com.

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Important Message!
NENG will sponsor a seminar on how small- and medium-sized businesses can reach compliance with Massachusetts’ new data privacy act, CMR17.
IT IS 99.99% CERTAIN YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLY!
The session will be led by Warren Atlas, a partner in the law firm Atlas and Atlas PC. Attorney Atlas specializes in labor-management relations and employment law, and is recognized as an expert on the new law, scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2010. Robert O’Keefe, NENG’s Director of Sales Engineering, will add his in- depth knowledge of critical technology compliance to the presentation.

WHAT: CMR 17 Compliance Seminar
WHEN: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 8 AM
WHERE: Burlington Marriott
One Burlington Mall Road
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 USA
Phone: 1-781-229-6565
RSVP or questions: NENG (781) 362 -1199