One way to build your business is to build your recognition as being a credible and helpful expert, according to many who write and lecture on the subject. One technique that many recommend is forwarding articles of interest to clients and prospects, especially those about you and your business.

Today, the Internet makes getting information out to others simple. Most online publications include an "E-mail this Article to a Friend" feature. But, you had better test it first, or you, like me, may find yourself in an embarrassing position and potentially hurting your credibility!

I received an inquiry from a person who worked at a restaurant for a short period. This employee was surprised when he received a W-2 Wage and Tax Statement from the employer. Why surprised? He claimed he did not complete any paperwork or provide any documentation such as a Social Security Number for employment. He also claimed the wages shown on the W-2 Form were significantly higher than what he was paid.

This issue is a reminder to employers and employees to beware. 

Digital Imaging has become a common document management process. Certain information on documents such as Social Security Numbers (SSNs) is considered sensitive information. If your organization is housing the documents and their images, they should be secured and access should be restricted to those who have a need to know (authorized users). Even then, do authorized users who have a need to access the document have a need to access the SSN of the subject? If not, other approaches, such as redaction should be considered. And what about document sharing?

Occasionally I am rendered speechless or without opinion. Today an article by privacy and security guru Bruce Schneier was published in the BBC Tech Lab. [Silence.]  

Schneier discusses how computer technology and a thoughtful list of current applications have been changing our lives and threatening our privacy. His forecast of technology applications for of the future is bright, but with data pollution as the toxic by product.

While information can be an asset, Schneier argues that we must all get involved immediately to discuss and adopt solutions to prevent the increasing toxicity that information and data have on society.

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