In today’s digital age, businesses of all sizes collect and store vast amounts of data about their customers and clients. When it comes to the storage of it all, those businesses have a huge responsibility to make sure how they do so keeps the data and information they hold secure. However, with the rise of cyber threats and data breaches, businesses complying with data protection and privacy laws must take far more care than they may have had decades ago.
One way to ensure compliance with data and privacy laws is by using a Perth storage facility. As you read on, we will discuss how to use this type of commercial storage correctly and why it protects your business from falling foul of data and privacy regulations.
Understanding Data Protection and Privacy Laws
Data protection and privacy laws vary by country, state, and region. Still, they all have the same objective: to protect personal, private, and sensitive information and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or distribution. Australia has privacy laws that apply across the country to protect personal information, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
The APPs apply to most Australian businesses and outline specific requirements for handling personal data, such as obtaining explicit consent. The Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme requires businesses to report any data breaches that could cause serious harm. These laws ensure that Australian businesses protect personal information and adhere to responsible data handling.
Using Commercial Storage Units for Data Protection
Commercial storage units can be helpful tools for helping businesses comply with data protection and privacy laws. Here are some ways they can be used to ensure the business, its owner, and its directors are not at risk of sanctions should any of the data and information they are responsible for fall into the wrong hands or be published erroneously.
Storing Physical Records Securely: Despite the advancement of digital documentation, many businesses still rely on and require physical records and paper documents. However, storing these records on-site can put them at risk of theft, damage, or loss. Commercial storage units provide a secure and climate-controlled environment for storing these physical records, ensuring they are protected from damage and unauthorized access.
Securely Storing Digital Data: Commercial storage facilities can also securely store digital data rather than at a less secure office or business premises. Businesses can rent space for a server rack or a dedicated server room within a commercial storage facility to store their data securely. This provides an extra layer of protection against cyber threats and ensures that the data is accessible only to authorized personnel.
Ensure Compliance With Data Protection Laws: Commercial storage units can help businesses comply with data protection laws by providing a secure option for storing data. Businesses can implement access controls, such as biometric authentication, to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the data. Also, businesses can use storage units to store secure data backups, ensuring they can quickly recover from a data breach or loss.
Storage Facility Security Measures: The appeal of commercial storage facilities in ensuring data protection is their enhanced security measures, which offer far greater security than most offices could. Examples of these security measures include:
- Gated Access To the Facility
- Individual Lock For Each Unit
- Keypad Locks
- Biometric Locks
- 24-Hour CCTV
- Security Personal On-Site
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
Most business premises and offices are unlikely to have all of these as their costs and logistics are more than most businesses would consider, so a commercial storage unit is the ideal solution for them to comply with data regulations and laws.