subject: Preparing for PRISM [print this page] Preparing for PRISM Preparing for PRISM
Having recently returned from my first tradeshow with ALL Source Security Container USA (NAID 2010 in Las Vegas, NV), I barely have had time to catch my breath and it is off to another show. This time the destination is Reno, NV (I detect a gambling theme here!) for the annual PRISM International Conference. Instead of dealing with people in the shredding business, at PRISM I will be faced with a whole new industry, records storage and management. This is going to be good!
Previous to entering the shredding industry I barely knew that an industry, such as records storage and management, even existed. Boy was I nave! We are told we need to save our personal tax files and information for seven years. A shoebox of dinner receipts and income slips is nothing compared to a corporation that archives years of employee records, sales invoices, monetary transactions, purchases, equipment information and trade secrets. All of which are highly sensitive, and thus, require the utmost care in their secure storage and management. I was at my doctor's office recently and when the nurse went to retrieve my file I was amazed at the size of the filing cabinets which stored numerous clients' information. Just think of how much sensitive information must exist in a large hospital! I never realized the amount of information which is in need of storage and management. As I said, I was nave indeed!
I got thinking further about just how many records we must keep in our society. Not just the physical storage of paper copies, but also computer storage backup, digital conversion of paper files and the need to destroy outdated or sensitive information in a secure and regulated manner. Over 5000 companies in the United States alone advertise for records storage services.
Thank goodness there is an association like PRISM. By providing advocacy, education and networking services to the industry, PRISM is a guiding force and a resource for this key industry. The annual international conference is an ideal vehicle for networking, education and industry advocacy.
