A company’s contact center staff serves on the front lines of data security. When properly trained they can effectively prevent intrusion. The problem is that contact centers tend to be exposed to environments that are prone to data theft and data loss. Employees are mostly low paid and/or they have minimal benefits. Many of them are also poorly supervised, pressured to meet the company’s metrics and are subjected to great stress.

Today’s businesses and organizations thrive and rely on data for customer service, marketing and staff management. Just like anything valuable, data is also sought after by criminals for blackmail, identity theft and other crimes.
According to a 2009 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy and Reports, identity fraud victims have increase by 22 percent. About 9.9 million adults in the United States have fallen prey to fraudulent acts. Total amount of fraud annually has also increased by seven percent at $48 billion during the past year. Reasons stated on the report included safety, simplicity and profitability, says Gartner research vice president Greg Young.

In order to limit ID fraud, the US Federal Trade Commission now requires creditors and financial institutions to comply with new Red Flags. Implementation begins on November 1 of this year. According to the regulations, these firms have to implement programs for identifying, detecting and responding to the said warning signs that manifest identity theft. Unfortunately, many companies are implementing new data-using processes even when they don’t have the right tools to sufficiently protect themselves, their hosting services and their users.

Companies are also erring in favour of keeping their customers happy in lieu of security protocols such as authentication requests through answers to challenge questions and passwords. The methods have grown more difficult as secret answers and passwords for authenticating clients are easily available. The matter becomes even more complicated as contact center agents are faced with annoyed buyers and the challenge of keeping handle times as short as possible.

The solution is to properly train contact center staff as they are on the data security front lines. They have to be properly compensated and carefully screened in order to ensure that they are well qualified for the task. this is one good way of keeping data secure.

For years, I smugly prided myself as a non-fax machine person. I felt it beneath my dignity to own such a technical contraption. The quill is more my style than a computer but, being practical, I reluctantly use a computer, casting wistful glances at the dust gathering on my quill.

Unfortunately, in the world in which we live, it is necessary to fax some letters or documents to someone in some odd part of the world. I don’t like it, but that’s just the way it is.

On the rare occasion when I must fax some document at an office supply store, I usually sneak in the back way. It has been my experience, when the fax man seeth me cometh, he always raises the price per page. This is just a small service he does for Yours Truly.

Then, when paying for this service, the fax man usually says with an impish grin, “When are you going to get a fax machine of your own?”

I always flash a smile back at him, but if he knew the thoughts in my head, he would charge me more per page. Silence truly is golden, especially for the person exercising the virtue.

Actually, I don’t trust machines. I know a mind somewhere is controlling all of these machines a menacing, mischievous mind dedicated to the simple task of messing up my life.

When I eventually break down and buy a fax machine someone will invent something to replace it and I’ll have another antique on my hands to put alongside of my Underwood typewriter and boxes of 8-track tapes.

This notwithstanding, I ended up buying a fax machine several weeks ago. I didn’t want to, but I had no choice in the matter.

My printer finally went the way of all printers. I hated to see it go. The left side was cracked where Noah, the original owner, dropped it. For years, it served me quite well. My next printer will have a big ink cartridge to fill.

I hate buying replacement equipment. Rarely is the new any better than the old, just more expensive, not to mention complicated. But, necessity is the stepmother of all complications in life, and I set out to buy a new printer.

I resolutely did not want to buy a fax machine. Under no circumstance did I want to buy a fax machine. Therefore, I ended up buying a fax machine.

It is impossible to buy a printer anymore. In order to buy a printer you must buy a machine that prints/copies/scans/faxes. I think it’s a pretty sneaky way to get me to buy a fax machine. Someone “out there” is set on me owning a fax machine even though I don’t want to own one.

This new machine does everything but vacuum the interior of my car. But it was the cheapest machine I could find.

I bought the machine but determined not to use the fax part. After all, somebody has to stand up for what they believe. Not everybody should succumb to the latest trend.

I was doing fine until ending up in the hospital. When I got out, I needed to fax a document to the hospital. Now I faced a taxing dilemma.

Do I go to the office store and fax my document, or do I try out my new printer/copier/scanner/fax machine?

Precedence finally gave way to convenience. I took my document to my new machine and figured out how to fax it to the hospital.

Not being confident in my technical knowledge, I called the hospital office to check on the faxed document. Much to my surprise the person on the other end said in a very cheery voice, “Yes, I have the faxed document right here in my hand.”

I must admit, although I hate doing so, faxing from my house was much easier than going to the office store.

I now knew how to fax a document anywhere in the world, but I had nothing to fax to anyone in the world. I just stood there looking at my machine trying to think of something to fax.

Even though I knew how to fax a document, I still did not know how to receive a fax.

Several days ago, a friend called and said he had a document he wanted me to have right away. He then asked the ominous question, “Do you have a fax machine?”

I began to say no, but hesitated and confessed I had a fax machine but did not know how to receive faxes. It was humiliating to make such a confession, but it was true.

“It’s simple,” he said, “hang up the phone and I’ll dial again and let the machines talk to one another.”

This caused no small discomfort. To think these machines are talking to one another behind my back is most disturbing. What are they saying about me behind my back?

Now that I come to think about it, I have heard sounds similar to snickering coming from the general direction of my printer/scanner/copier/fax machine. I don’t mind Big Brother watching over me, but I do mind some machine making jokes with other machines about me.

When it comes to “new things,” God is the master. This is what He promises to do for us. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV.)

Put that in your printer and fax it.

Reverend Snyder is currently ministering at the “Family of God
Fellowship” in Ocala, Florida. More of his articles are available
for reprint at his website: http://www.godspenman.com/
Rev. Snyder is available as a guest speaker. He writes a weekly
column and is the author of “You Can Always Tell a Pastor; But Not Very Much” available at: http://www.jamessnyderministries.com/

Do you feel overwhelmed when buying a computer or a new printer?

You are not alone. With so many products to choose from I know exactly how you feel. The best approach when buying a computer related product is to educate your self. This way you are making your own decisions from your own self-judgment. That’s go to be more powerful than listening to a sales guy, who is more concerned about getting commission than you - the customer, obtaining the right product for your needs.

How do you educate yourself? Start of slowly, most people don’t want to become experts, they just want a computer or printer to do what is expected. Learn the basics of what computers and printers can offer you at http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com

Not only will you find reviews guides and here. You will also find how to fix printers yourself. Learn how to set up your firewall correctly knowing you are safe from intruders. Never feel as frustrated as you once did, knowing the truth about computers and printers. Be sure to check out http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com/printer-reviews.html.

Learn the difference between LaserJet and inkjet printers. Learn what the advantages are from certain computer products. With the wealth of information here, you will know other people are willing to help you and can understand where you are coming from.

Don’t forget everyone has computer and printer problems. The good news is, what ever your budget is, there is always a solution. Remember if you intend to phone a computer support line, seek a plan of action. Don’t let them fob you off with technical meaningless babble!

About The Author

John Gibb is currently the webmaster of several support and guide sites for various specialized topics. His latest addition is http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com

Team@computer-and-printer-reviews.com

Bought the latest in mobile phones? Can’t wait to show the cellular phone off to your friends to project the new cool you? Have you considered your safety and appropriate use of your new wireless phone? What about damage? We have compiled a list of valuable tips for our wireless clients.

Unplug the power cord and charger during lightning storms to avoid electrical shock and/or fire.

Ensure that no sharp-edged items such as animal’s teeth or nails (this means Fido or Fluffy, and not leaving your phone in the wildnerness) come in contact with the cell phone battery. This could result in fire.

Do not utilize harsh chemicals to clean your wireless phone. These chemicals include alcohol, benzene, thinners and detergent. This could result in fire.

When driving, don’t leave your wireless phone or install the hands-free kit near the air bag. If your cellular phone is not installed correctly and the air bag deploys, this could result in personal injury.

Do not use your phone with wet hands as this could result in electrical shock to you and serious damage to your cellular phone.

Do not throw, heave, drop, shake and inflict any other physical abuse on your wireless phone. This action may damage the circuit board of your cellular phone.

Ensure that children do not ingest any part of the cellular phone such as the earphones or the connection part of the wireless phone. This could result in suffocation or asphyxiation.

We hope that you enjoy your new cellular phone. However, taking care of it could prolong its life, your life, your pet’s life or your child’s life.

Catherine Kenyeres is a free lance writer and publisher for Best-4u-Cell-Phones.com. Catherine provides the latest information, reviews and comparisons for cell phone clients.

If you want to get in on the portable revolution, then one of the best options available is to look around on the internet for used toshiba laptops. Toshiba had, has and will likely continue to have a great reputation in the field of portable computer equipment, which makes their laptops popular in the second hand market.

Personally, I think of used toshiba laptops as retaining the same quality as the day they were bought - the cases tend to be rugged, with solid keyboards, which made them expensive to buy, but also means that on the second hand market they hold their value. In short, buying used Toshiba is usually better than buying used other brands.

For those who find regular laptops too bulky, but PDA and handled computers too inflexible and underpowered, look out for used toshiba laptops such as the Libretto. This machine is the size of a heavy paperback, much smaller than a laptop, but with enough power to run a copy of Windows NT, 95, 98 or recent Linux builds with good results.

When shopping for used toshiba laptops, please always remember that the best deals will be for those that are ex-office. Buying from individuals stock can come with some caveats, but don’t let this scare you. After all, a reputable dealer will offer guarantees of quality.

For best results go for a reconditioned model - that way you know that the quality has been verified. It may be a little more expensive, but well worth the investment.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://buy-a-notebook.com where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Andreea Dinescu.