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Reminder: Follow Security Tips to Keep Employee Data Safe
Posted: February 1, 2010
To reduce the risk of losing valuable member records, VRS will no longer accept unencrypted disks that contain sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or other confidential information. Employers must use the VRS WebER application. WebER allows for a secure electronic transfer of payroll files. Coming in 2011, VRS’ Modernization Program will provide even more ways to communicate sensitive information securely.
Here are additional tips for keeping VRS customer data secure:
- Never use e-mail to send sensitive information regarding individual employees to VRS. VRS will send only non-confidential replies. For assistance, call VRS toll free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) to speak with an Employer Advisor (select menu option 3) or contact your Employer Representative.
- Encrypt files containing sensitive employee information before e-mailing them to VRS.
- Never copy sensitive information to storage media or devices such as flash or “thumb” drives, diskettes or CDs.
Use an industry-accepted standard for the encryption algorithm such as AES. Many encryption packages will support this algorithm such as WinZip, MS Office 2007 or PGP software. Earlier versions of MS Office have a weak encryption algorithm that is easy to break. Your local IT support representative should be able to assist you with your encryption options.
