KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** Using data base company for customer info on the cloud November 16 2022 ************************* Using data base company for customer info on the cloud ************************** Ken We are searching for new customer database/billing software--to house customer information, service appointments, service tickets and billing. All of the newer programs seem to be cloud based and can run billing for the dealer--print, process payments, follow up, etc. This seems to be the same with Biller Genie which is recommended on The Alarm Exchange. Do you have any concerns with privacy? I asked the question of one of the companies we are considering and they responded that their agreements have strict confidentiality provisions to only use customer data for what we ask them to perform and they have robust firewalls. Do you see any reason that this is a liability for these companies to have access to customer information? Please withhold my last name and company name if you publish this as I don't want to now be flooded with solicitations. Thank you, PS-recently used your firm for a background check and to purchase an employment agreement--all services were fantastic. Nicole ************************ Response ************************ Yes I have concerns about privacy. Lots of concerns. I want my private information kept private. As an attorney all of my client communications are private and confidential and I am of course privy to all kinds of client information. As a United States Bankruptcy Trustee I am presented with and privy to the most intimate and detailed private information, especially financially related, and I am required to safeguard that information. Before the age of computers we stored our confidential information in what we hoped were secured locations, though of course no place was really without risk of breach. When computers came along we maintained Main Frames on site, a super CPU that housed all the data for all the computers in the network at the premises. Remote access then became possible. Then other people decided to house our data for us, on their Main Frames, at their facilities. As technology become more sophisticated and complex the data that we create at our desk, in our facility, travels all over the “internet’ which could mean all over the world, before landing at someone’s Main Frame. As I understand it, that’s how the “cloud” works. Basically the data is stored somewhere other than at your office on your computer. You need Internet access to connect to the other person’s Main Frame to access your data. The potential for data breach is obviously present as the data makes its rounds. The Main Frame it ends up on is subject to data breach as well. But presumably the companies engaged in storing other peoples’ data also have the wherewithal to guard against breach; probably better than you could if you decided to store the data on your premises. The possibility of misusing the data is just as possible as your own staff misusing the data. I suspect that most “cloud based” data storage operations have the most updated and sophisticated tools available to guard against outside or inside breach. Of course every cloud based operation will agree to confidentiality and to protect privacy. They couldn’t stay in business without that pledge. Theft, from within your business and from outside sources is a fact of life if you store the data on your premises or if you store it elsewhere in the cloud. I think the bottom line is that you need to do whatever you think is necessary to protect your confidential information and your customer’s confidential information, and relying on cloud based operations is likely a safe option. The Standard Form Agreements do address data breach from outside sources and cyberattack, and you won’t be liable for those events. ******************** To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth ****************************** Getting on our Email List / Email Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. You can read articles and order alarm contracts on our web site www.alarmcontracts.com ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
