San Fernando Valley Business Journal Associates
Robert P. Green, CPA.CITP and Rick Mark are practice leaders with insync Information Management, LLC

Suffice to say that any electronic information that a business wants to protect, as its own, can be considered a critical digital asset. Examples include digital versions of intellectual property, confidential or proprietary information, trade secrets, and the often ignored, regulatory protected and risk-prone “private” information about employees or customers.

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In conjunction with counsel, begin with outlining or augmenting your company’s current operations and policies to comply with State or Federal Privacy laws, and other regulation as related to your specific industry, as applicable. Create an Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) that illustrates the regulations and expectations of employees using your systems. Consider, as well, specific handbook policies that govern digital-oriented inventions, trade secrets, and the like.