Records Managers have long know about the risks of storing data but what is the actually liability. According to a 2007 survey by the Ponemon Institute it is $128 per each customer contact record compromised. The survey was of 35 merchants who had a data breach in the prior year. Add to this that the FTC can refer cases to the Department of Justice for criminal charges or damages.

Data is important for a business but improperly held and used data is closer to toxic waste than a business asset. It is more than enough to keep a records manager up at night.

Here are some practical tips for the part time records manager.