An Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) survey of 1,006 companies across Canada shows that many businesses are not employing recommended technological tools or practices to protect the digitally-stored personal information of their customers. The survey found that while the vast majority of companies are using passwords to protect personal information stored on digital devices, many do not ensure that passwords are difficult to guess or that their employees change them regularly. The survey also showed that almost 50% of companies that store personal information on portable devices like laptops, USB sticks, and tablets do not use encryption to protect the information. While the survey did find that many Canadian companies recognize the importance of protecting privacy, it is vitally important that businesses take the time to get it right – for their customers and for their own survival.
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