Author Archives: Security in Shredding

About Security in Shredding

Specialising in secure confidential document shredding services with a reputation for exceptional security, customer service. Delivering value for money and the utilisation of leading technology compliant to the highest security standards within the industry.

Christmas Waste

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Christmas Waste

 

During Christmas, we people generate high volumes of waste.

“Approximately 70,000 tonnes of packaging waste is generated per household.”

Even though we are improving our practises regarding managing our waste, the people of Ireland need to be more vigilant about separating recyclable waste from non-recyclable waste, it is not a difficult task to carry out – one just has to alter their habits.

With regard to batteries, we use batteries in our laptops and phones, and the mountains of electronic toys delivered by Santa or gifted by generous friends and family. WEEE Ireland have the ability to recycle the old and used batteries, waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Research shows that one in five people still put batteries into general waste which is unacceptable. “Every retailer that sells batteries is obliged to take them back for recycling and the WEEE Ireland blue (battery collection) box is very prominent.”

Many of us have real Christmas trees to dispose of after Christmas. Most County Councils recycling facilities have set dates whereby people can take in their real Christmas trees free of charge to dispose and recycle them.

So overall, if we manage our waste properly, each of us can make a big difference in reducing the amount of recyclable waste reaching landfill.

On that note, we, All Security Mobile Shredding Ltd want to wish each and every one of our readers, followers and clients a Happy and Safe Christmas.

“The Security of the Cloud …”

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iCloud security wake-up call

 

As a result from the security issues surrounding iCloud, “The general move to cloud services is going to suffer..” “In the wake of a leak at the start of the month, Apple added new security measures to its iCloud service. Apple was late to the game with two-factor authentication, but most of these (celebrity) images were likely hacked before it brought in that update”, Conor Flynn stated to the Sunday Business Post. “These leaks should act as a wake-up call to Irish smart-phone users to keep account of where their data is being stored, according to Michael Conway – director of Renaissance”.

If the public was better educated about the methods and locations for storage of their data, it would minimise the risk to the user. “People share information so-freely in social media circles, the logical step is just saving that information in the cloud”.

According to the Sunday Business Post, the simple solution is to encrypt your files before saving to a cloud service because even if that cloud provider is compromised, your files are useless to anyone who gets them without the encryption key.

IRISH COMPANIES ARE SUFFERING FROM DATA BREACHES

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irish data breaches

“IRISH companies are suffering data breaches in record numbers, according to a major new survey from The Irish Computer Society.”

Firstly the definition of a data breach according to wikipeadia – “A data breach is a security incident in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by an individual unauthorized to do so.”

It has being discovered that “four-fifths of all Irish data breaches come from firms employees”.

The survey, conducted among IT administrators in 256 Irish-based companies, reveals that more than half of Irish firms have experienced a data breach in the last 12 months, with 22pc suffering multiple breaches.

To read more about the above information, click here.

For useful information about how to protect your data, click here.

For further advice or assistance you can contact us.

 

 

New Data Protection Commissioner

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new data protection commissioner
We welcome Ms. Helen Dixon in to the Data Protection Sector and wish her success in her important new role. Ms. Dixon is taking over from Mr. Billy Hawkes whom has retired from his position as privacy chief since 2005.
Ms. Dixon has served an 11 year career in two US IT multinationals – Worth Data Inc and Citrix Systems – that had their EMEA bases in Ireland.
“The role of the office of the Data Protection Commissioner as an independent body which has responsibility for safeguarding data in Ireland is of critical importance.”
In a statement, a Government spokesman said Ms Dixon brings “a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, both in the public and private sectors”.
We would like to wish Ms. Helen Dixon all the best in her new role and hope she has a successful career.
We would also like to wish Mr. Billy Hawkes well with his future endeavours.

“Digital protection against USB infections”

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digital condom protects against usb infections

 

“Fake charging stations can be created to harvest sensitive data, and plugging a smartphone into a strange computer can accidentally backup your data to the computer, leaving it accessible by the owner.The USB condom is a small chip with male and female ports which connects between your device and the unknown USB port, linking-up the power cables but severing any potential data connection.” Click here to read more.

Credit Unions private investigators allegedly steal Data from Department of Social Protection.

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social welfare "data stolen" from credit union private investigators

Just last week the newspapers covered the alleged story regarding private investigators being hired by the Credit Unions’ to retrieve confidential data from the Department of Social Protection.
It was brought to the attention of the Data Protection Commissioner that the Credit Union hired investigators to track down loan defaulters. It is suspected that the investigators duped the Department of Social Protection into disclosing confidential information such as PPS numbers, employment details and living arrangements. As a result this scheme is in breach of Section 22 of the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. As a result of investigations, The Data Protection Commissioner has initiated prosecution proceedings against some private investigators who are suspected of breaches of the Data Protection Acts.

social welfare investigates data breach
The Department of Social Protection has responded by saying the following:
“[The Department] treats its responsibilities in terms of protecting the data of its clients with the utmost seriousness,” it said.
“Any case where there is a suspected breach of data security is investigated and where it is established that a breach has occurred, the personnel officer establishes an investigation under the disciplinary code which provides for sanctions up to and including dismissal.”
For more information about this story click here.

With regard to our own information it is extremely important that everyone is vigilant regarding who they are disclosing information to. For example, a “Representative” from a maintenance company contacts someone to tell them that the computer has multiple viruses on it and its going to stop working any minute. The representative acquires that persons bank details to so-call remove the viruses when in fact he/she is down-sizing that person’s bank account!
At the end of the day, everyone has to be extremely careful when disclosing information to anyone over the phone.

Security in Shredding Donate to Another Great Cause

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Away from Data Protection and Secure Data Destruction (Paper Shredding, Media Shredding and Secure WEEE Recycling); The Security in Shredding Team took the hands on approach with The amazing charity “One in Four”.

In March of 2014 Security in Shredding teamed up and got involved in a charity sponsored horse riding event to aid of fund raising for The One in Four Charity. Not only did the Company donate for the great cause but the brave staff entered themselves and their horses in the event for the day.
photo 4 Front:     Presenting the donation to the Charity; Senior Management at Security in Shredding & Maeve Lewis (One in Four Executive Director)

Back:      Staff of Security in Shredding entered into the event.

Continue reading →

Other Than Paper Shredding; Facebook New Audio Feature Raises Concerns over Data Privacy

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   Data Protection, Paper Shredding Secure

Other than the importance of paper data shredding we analyse the data protection market as a whole and highlight significant news and information when it is made available.

Facebook made big news announcements this week that illustrates their atypical take on data privacy. It was announced that a new feature to its mobile application that will enable Continue reading →

Free Shred and Information Event in aid of Data Protection Day a true success.

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shreddayimage

It is advantageous for the General Public and Organisations within Ireland and across the Globe to be aware that January 28th is European Data Protection Day, and it is known as “Privacy Day” outside of the EU. Continue reading →

Data Protection Day Information Leaflet

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Today is data protection day and we felt this was a great opportunity to provide our readers with a free information leaflet to raise awareness on data protection. Continue reading →