Short Answer
Tessa must understand the risks of handling sensitive payroll information, using secure networks, and avoiding remote printing. She should implement best practices like data encryption, secure email transmission, and physical security for paperwork, while prioritizing data security and compliance with regulations to protect employee privacy.
Step 1: Understand the Risks
Tessa must recognize the significant risks involved in handling sensitive payroll data, which includes employees’ names, home addresses, and salaries. Using her home computer poses a threat of unauthorized access if her network is not secure. Therefore, it is crucial for her to avoid printing this sensitive information remotely to protect employee privacy and ensure compliance with legal regulations.
Step 2: Implement Secure Practices
To safely manage sensitive payroll data, Tessa should adopt the following best practices:
- Encrypt the data before storage or transmission to safeguard it from unauthorized access.
- Send the data via secure email to colleagues only if strong measures, like encryption, are employed for protection during transmission.
- Store paperwork in a locked desk drawer after working hours to ensure physical security of sensitive information.
Step 3: Prioritize Data Security and Compliance
Ultimately, Tessa must prioritize data security and adhere to workplace policies as well as legal regulations while handling sensitive employee information. This involves regularly reviewing and updating her knowledge on best practices related to employee data privacy. By doing so, she can effectively mitigate risks of data breaches and ensure that the privacy of employees is respected and protected.