1. Objective

The objective of the Clear Desk and Screen Policy is to set guidelines which reduce the risk of a security breach, fraud and information theft caused by documents being left unattended in Lifetime Legal’s premises. Each individual within the Company must understand that they are responsible for the misuse of any data which is lost or stolen as a result of any breach of this policy. Failure to comply with this policy leaves an individual liable to disciplinary action which could lead to dismissal.

2. Background

The main reasons for having a clear desk and screen are;

• It reduces the threat of a security breach and information theft as confidential information gets locked away
• It ensures compliance with data protection regulations – keeping personal data secure
• It reduces the chance of identity theft
• It shows that Lifetime Legal is taking corporate responsibility for the personal data in its care.

3. The Policy in Operation

At the end of the working day or when leaving the office for any significant period of time all employees are expected to tidy their desk and must ensure that any paperwork containing customer data (including Daily Planners) is locked away in a drawer or cupboard.

Every individual must ensure that their computer is locked when left unattended. Any computer which is left unlocked, particularly when leaving the office represents a risk to data security for which each individual is responsible.

Team Leaders/Managers within the company will be responsible for checking desks at the end of each day to ensure that staff are complying with the Clear Desk/Screen Policy.

4. Reduction in the use of paper

This Policy is also designed to help reduce the amount of paper that we use. This can also reduce the use of costly toners and the amount of filing space required

• Do not print copies of information from the computer systems if it is not necessary
• Please print/copy double sided wherever possible.
• Ensure that paperwork is placed in the confidential waste bin for shredding when no longer required

Please note that in accordance with the fifth data protection principle, personal data processed for any purpose or purposes must not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or purposes.