What Many Massachusetts Business Owners Don’t Know

Some of the things that many Massachusetts business owners don’t know.

When it comes to running a business in Massachusetts, there’s no such thing as knowing too much for the benefit of the business. However, plenty of security laws make your business liable if something goes wrong in the event of a data breach. With this being said, here’s a look at some things that many Massachusetts business owners do not know.

What Is a WISP (Written Information Security Program)?

WISP (Written Information Security Program) is a form of compliance with Massachusetts law requiring businesses to secure their networks for shoppers. WISP laws apply to all businesses in Massachusetts (whether single or working with multiple employees) and make security breaches punishable if the business hasn’t taken initiatives to protect private information. If your business doesn’t have a WISP and suffers a security breach, it’s very likely the penalties will be extremely severe (regardless of the size of the business).

Why WISP Exists

WISP exists simply to protect the customer from businesses that could encounter a data breach. Although this law sounds very one-sided, it does put into perspective how important IT security is for businesses that carry sensitive and personal information.

Whether the business is handling state-issued information, Social Security information, credit/debt card numbers, access to financial information, or pins/passwords, it’s essential that their security meets state standards. Long-story short, WISP assists businesses and customers alike as it aims to prevent data breaches, identity theft and other attacks geared toward harming a service.

WISP Compliance

If you’re curious as to what qualifications WISP requires for compliance, here’s a brief list of what WISP covers:

• Do your security systems have up-to-date software?
• Do you have reasonably updated software to prevent viruses/patch your system in the event of a data breach?
• Do you have a designated staff training place or an IT staff hired through a staffing service?
• Do you have an up-to-date firewall to protect the personal information of your customers?
• Do you have an alert system set up in the event of a data breach?

As these are just a few of the WISP requirements, they give one a rough idea of what’s expected from a business.

Considering this information, it’s very important that you look into the security measures to avoid serious complications with your business. Thankfully, Haxxess Enterprise Corporation is the trusted choice when it comes to staying ahead of the latest information technology tips, tricks and news. Contact us at (705) 222. -TECH or send us an email at [email protected] for more information.