What security issues should be considered for storing and disposing of records?

All personal and financial information you collect about applicants and residents is confidential and should be securely stored in locked, fireproof filing cabinets to prevent unauthorized access or theft. Ensure any discussions you have about this information remain confidential.

Restrict access to confidential files to authorized staff, directors or volunteers. Use passwords to protect access to confidential computer files.

When you dispose of paper records, hire a bonded, confidential shredding company to shred the documents. When you dispose of computer equipment, simply deleting files is not sufficient. Ensure all the information on the hard drive, computer disks and any other memory systems cannot be retrieved.