The document discusses protecting confidential information within an organization. It defines confidential information as any non-public information that provides a competitive advantage, such as technical information, customer lists, financial data, and pricing proposals. The document notes that information can become non-confidential if it is publicly known or rightfully received from an authorized third party. It warns that information loses its confidential status if disclosed outside the organization without a confidentiality agreement. The rest of the document provides tips for organizations to prevent accidental disclosure of confidential information, such as limiting access, controlling visitors, keeping employees aware, maintaining clean workspaces, and carefully disclosing information only with signed agreements.

1. Effectively
Protecting
Confidential
Information
BONITA LEWIS BELL – OCTOBER 2014

2. Confidential Information Is . . .
Any information or data that is not generally known or accessible,
and which gives the owner a competitive advantage.
Technical information
◦ Know-how
◦ Technology
◦ Equipment Specs
◦ Trade Secrets
◦ Customer list
◦ Equipment
◦ Product plans
◦ Financials
◦ Pricing/Proposals
◦ Agreements

3. Not Confidential Info if . . .
•Generally known at time of disclosure
•Information rightfully received from a
third party authorized to make
disclosure
•Becomes publicly known through no
fault of the recipient
Confidential information that goes outside of the organization without
an obligation of confidentiality – even if disclosed to only one person –
is no longer confidential

4. Disclosure – Purposeful or Accidental
“Many organizations spend a great deal of time seeking to protect
against third parties taking confidential information, often the greater
risk lies in the accidental disclosure of confidential information by its
own personnel.”
Intellectual Property Culture, Dobrusin & Krasnow, 2008

5. Unwitting Disclosure of Confidential Information
•Presentations at conferences/trade shows
•Phone conversations in public places
•Sales activities, product demos, bid proposals w/o
confidentiality agreements
•Social gathering, entertaining customers
•Website posting – blogs, message boards
•Investor/analyst presentations
•Poor document control
◦Documents visible in public places
◦Info left behind in conference rooms, etc.

6. Protecting Confidential Information
• Reasonable under the circumstances
• Will vary from industry to industry or even business to
business within the same industry
◦ How is the information designated as confidential?
◦ What physical measures are taken to limit access to the confidential
information?

7. Protecting Confidential Information
Limit Access
 Password protection
 Locked storage
 Limited access areas

8. Protecting Confidential Information
Know Your Visitors
 Require sign-in/sign-out
 Require Escorts
 No Tailgating

9. Protecting Confidential Information
Keep
Employees
Aware
 Access on Need to Know Basis
 Non-disclosure agreements
 Reminders to Departing Team Members

10. Protecting Confidential Information
Keep
It
Clean
 Clear Conference Rooms
 Log off of Computers
 Put away confidential materials

11. Protecting Confidential Information
Disclose with Care
 Secure Signed Confidentiality Agreements
 Disclose only what is needed
 Mark with Legends
 CONFIDENTIAL
 © Owner, Date. All rights reserved.