An issue that often comes up regarding alarm registration is the importance of protecting customer information. No company in the electronic security industry wants to compromise customer data. If that happened, your business reputation would die. It’s that simple. Security companies stake their reputations on protection. That includes protecting sensitive customer information.
So, SIAC is pleased and supportive to note that the North Carolina House recently passed a statewide bill that would mandate customer sensitive data is off limits. Specifically, the Act (House Bill 797) provides that registration and sensitive security information received or compiled by a city in the course of administering an alarm registration ordinance is NOT a public record.
What does this mean for customers who must register alarms locally? It means they can rest assured their phone number, email address, home address or any other information captured in the registration process does not get shared anywhere. Information related to the layout of a home or business and installation of security equipment is also protected under the “no share” context of the Act.
No government entity (or a for-profit business, for that matter) should ever share information about its customers without gaining permission. Sadly, we live in a world where people want to sell distribution lists and insider information for profit. This type of legislation is a very important step in the right direction, and one SIAC strongly supports.
If you operate your company elsewhere in the U.S. or Canada, please consider sharing the legislation (file:///C:/Users/Simon/Downloads/H797v3.pdf) with your elected officials. Let them know why it is important and valuable in the fight to protect customer privacy rights.