By Warren J. Mackensen, president, ProTracker Software

Many businesses are unintentionally negligent when it comes to information security and mistakenly feel safe when storing client personal information or e-mailing password-protected files. But data security breaches happen quickly and far too easily--a hacked e-mail, a stolen laptop or a disgruntled employee stealing a confidential file. Before they know it, companies are dealing with a data breach that has exposed sensitive customer information and are looking at lawsuits, furious clients, huge fines, and scathing media exposure as part of the aftermath. And with the high number of professionals who travel or work remotely, vulnerability and data breach incidents have risen dramatically.

In response to this threat, some states are introducing data security compliance legislation to clamp down on abuses. But compliance is a good idea, even if a business is operating in a state without such laws.