According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was approximately $4.45 million. Can your call center withstand such an exorbitant expense? Even if it can, navigating the aftermath of a data breach will be expensive, painful, and tedious.
If you want to minimize your chances of experiencing a breach, you must make call center security a priority. This means familiarizing yourself with call center compliance standards, investing in robust data protection solutions, and ensuring that your staff is up-to-date on the latest personal data security best practices.
Call Center Compliance: A Dual Focus
There are two facets to call center compliance. First, you need to adhere to laws and regulations designed to protect consumer data. Second, you must implement internal policies and procedures that create a culture of compliance while simultaneously reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Compliance standards are not just checkboxes that you have to tick, though; they are essential practices that safeguard customer information and protect business continuity. When you view call center compliance and data security as critical aspects of managing your business, your team will buy in, too.
The Role of PCI Compliance
Payment card industry (PCI) compliance refers to the technical and operational standards you must follow to protect credit card data provided by customers. PCI compliance ensures that your customers’ credit card information is kept secure during and after each transaction.
If your inbound call center handles card payments, you have to follow PCI compliance standards. Otherwise, you could face penalties, expose your customers’ data to cybercrime, and face sanctions from credit card companies.
Compliance Standards, Data Security, and Customer Trust
Adhering to compliance standards will help you build and maintain customer trust. When your call center demonstrates its commitment to data security and customer privacy, it gives your customers peace of mind.
In contrast, suffering a data breach or being otherwise careless with consumer data can have a detrimental effect. Your customers may lose faith in your ability to keep their information secure.
You have worked hard to cultivate a strong reputation. Don’t compromise it with a lackluster compliance strategy. Instead, be proactive about data security standards and call center compliance so that you can cultivate customer loyalty.
Threats to Call Center Compliance
The first step to ensuring data security in your inbound call center is familiarizing yourself with the threat landscape. Once you know what you are up against, it will be easier to mitigate the risks. Some common threats to call center compliance include:
Antiquated Technology
Old-school technology can leave you vulnerable to cyber threats and lead to poor data visibility. If you have hidden weaknesses or can’t effectively manage your customer data, achieving compliance can feel impossible. While you don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest tech, you do need modern solutions that are equipped with robust data protection solutions.
Undertrained Staff
Your team is both your greatest asset and your biggest liability. Well-trained support agents can aid in compliance, protect your organization, and deliver an exceptional experience for your customers. Undertrained staff, however, can do just the opposite, inadvertently committing violations that expose customer data or compromise compliance.
Disjointed Processes
Does your inbound call center team operate in a vacuum, or are they ingrained into your workflows and processes? If your inbound call center is disconnected from the rest of your business, customer data visibility is going to suffer. That’s why you need to equip your call center with integrated tools and technologies that promote synergy, collaboration, and compliance.
A Lack of Knowledge About Compliance Standards
Is your team familiar with the latest call center compliance standards? If they don’t even know the rules they are expected to play by, they are going to consistently fall short of the standards. That’s why educating your team about the latest standards is vital. Periodically publish refreshers and updates to keep your team in the loop.
Best Practices for Ensuring Call Center Compliance and Security
Ensuring call center compliance and security requires a multifaceted approach. You’ll need to:
Invest in Quality Training
Regular training for your call center agents is crucial. This training should cover the basics of handling personal information, as well as any updates in compliance standards and data security protocols. Administer training at least once per year and provide refreshers every month or so to keep your team on their toes.
Implement Robust Tech
The right data protection solutions can make a significant difference in compliance and security. Your call center should invest in secure databases, encryption technology, and reliable firewalls to protect data from cyber threats.
Conduct Regular Audits and Assessments
How do you know if your training and tech investments are working? The answer is that you won’t unless you conduct regular audits and assessments.
An audit helps reveal what you are doing right, what you need to do better, and what risks are facing your business. Don’t just assume your compliance and security efforts are working. Conduct audits so that you know your customer data is protected.
Create Clear Data Handling Policies
Establishing clear guidelines on how to handle customer data, including how long to retain it and when to dispose of it, is essential. These policies will take the guesswork out of compliance and give your team somewhere to refer back to if they have questions.
Leverage Access Controls
Strict access controls ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive customer data. In turn, they allow you to minimize the risk of internal data breaches and accidental deletions.
Many compliance frameworks require the use of access controls. Implementing stricter controls can therefore help you avoid fines as well as protect customer data.
Get Your Business Up to Data Security Standards Through Outsourcing
Have you fallen behind on the latest data security standards or struggled to maintain PCI compliance? If ensuring data security in your inbound call center has become a nightmare, it might be time to outsource.
Finding a reputable outsourced services provider that uses the latest technology and staff training protocols can help you simplify compliance, reduce your risk, and better serve your customers. Contact us at Telecom, Inc. today to learn more!