Do feel that your data security is unimportant? Multinational corporations often seem to have data breaches with no major impact. And maybe the client data you hold doesn’t seem that sensitive – just contact details and records of the work you’ve done for them. Then again, you may think that you’re small fry and nobody would bother hacking you or stealing your data.
The problem is, that as a smaller business your customers have a more personal relationship with you than they do with corporations. That makes the disappointment more personal, and the loss of trust more personal.
Several years ago, there was a minor scandal about an offshore call centre that was selling details of Optus, Telstra and Vodafone clients. But if you think it’s only the databases of large corporations that are at risk, you’re being naive. Every time you give someone offshore access to your database, you’re exposing yourself to the risk that those details will be on-sold.
If you work with a local Virtual Assistant they will be bound by the same laws you are. So if there are any data breaches, whether caused deliberately or through carelessness. You can easily deal with them in the Australian legal system. You’ll also find that local Virtual Assistants are already working under Australian laws and within current privacy legislation.
Working with a more local Virtual Assistant also gives you the opportunity to meet them face to face. Face to face meetings help build trust and let you get a feel for people you’re working with. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to not work with a Virtual Assistant because they don’t gel. There are plenty of us out there. And unless you have serious trust issues, it won’t be too hard to find someone you click with.
