Everyone has their own style when it comes to managing a work desk. Some people are neat and tidy while others prefer to have a scattered environment. Studies have proven that a clean and organized work environment helps to boost productivity and morale. However, there are major security concerns to help protect the confidentiality and integrity of company data.
Do you have a clean desk?
With countless employees processing client files, contracts, names and addresses, social security numbers, and financial information, sensitive data is left on desks at the end of each work day. Therefore whether intentional or not, the likelihood of exposure is increased.
What are the risks?
Having important papers exposed on your desk with private details, deals, and employees’ information can make the company more susceptible to fraud, a security breach or information theft. Locking your computer screen, removing sensitive post-its, printouts and even USB drives at the end of the day will significantly reduce risk.
What can you do to reduce risks?
You can start by creating a basic list of items that are allowed in your work area to help maintain a clean space. By knowing what items are allowed on your desk, helps to better understand company policy and be more efficient with end of day clean-ups.
Here are some things to consider for your clean desk to reduce risk:
- Always lock your computer if not in use
- Avoid leaving your computer or laptop unattended for long periods of time
- Make sure your computer requires a password to log in
- Contact the help desk if your computer doesn’t display a screen saver
- Remove all scrap paper containing confidential company information that should be shredded and avoid throwing into waste baskets
- Ensure that no important documents are left on copy machines during anytime of the day
- Lock up and safely store all client folders, contracts and company data in a secured file cabinet or safe
- Do not hide passwords under your keyboard or display on a monitor
- Remove all sticky notes containing client, personal, or company information on monitors or visible to others