This article is reprinted with permission from the Smart Business Network, Inc., April 2005 issue of Smart Business Philadelphia.

Smart businesses can no longer ignore information security. Concerns about terrorism and national security, corporate accounting scandals, identity theft and other cybercrimes, coupled with increasing awareness of the societal importance of information technology, are contributing to increasing amounts of legislation and litigation over information security issues.

Many observers predict that tort law will eventually impose a general duty to keep information secure. These trends indicate that it will be increasingly important to stay ahead of the legal curve for information security.

Information security means the processes and measures by which organizations attempt to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of data, as well as the availability and accessibility of data and systems. Businesses should employ information security measures to protect customer, vendor and business partner data, tax and financial records, trade secrets, and information systems and system components.