According to the 2018 State of the Industry report from Shred-it, a document security firm, approximately 40% of senior executives and small business owners cite lost or stolen devices as the cause of their most recent data security breach. Keeping documents safe is imperative when you are a business, however as an individual you also need to take document security into account. Your assets, personal documents, and financial records should be kept in a secure environment to ensure they are not compromised in any way; giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything is in a safe place away from prying eyes. Below are some ways you can keep your documents safe and protected.
Safety Deposit Box
A safety deposit box is a great place to start if you are unsure of where to store documents. Choose an institution you trust with easy access to your safety deposit box, and security protocols that are guaranteed to protect your documents. Private vaults are also an option, as they provide more privacy when accessing your assets. While a safety deposit box is ideal for paper documents or smaller items such as jewelry, a private vault is a great option for items such as gold and silver bullion, and even fine arts, wine, or any other valuable item you wish to keep safe.
Home Safe
If you are unsure about storing your documents or other assets in a separate location, an alternative is to procure a home safe. A home safe offers other benefits, as it allows you and your family to quickly access documents without having to go through a third party. It is an unfortunate fact that only 32% of American adults have a plan in place in the event of their death; this includes an estate plan, will, or trust. To be prepared, it is crucial to have a plan in case of an emergency, and also make sure all these documents are accessible to your loved ones. Keeping important documents like your will or estate plan in a home safe guarantees your family will have easy access to such documents—while also ensuring they are safe from any potential security breaches.
The Cloud
While the aforementioned tips are great ways to keep your paper documents and physical assets safe, you should also have a secure place to store digital documents. The cloud is an ideal place to keep digital copies of important documents; anything ranging from a copy of your will to financial records. The cloud is also a good place to store any deeds or real estate information: for example, about 9.9 million people own timeshares, and easy access to timeshare documentation, lease agreements, and mortgage documents guarantees that you will always be able to securely and quickly find the necessary paperwork. Storing digital documents in the cloud also ensures that you have backups of important documents, and that said documents are secure and protected.
While there are many potential ways to keep your documents safe, a good place to start is to make sure all of your important physical documents and personal assets (such as jewelry or gold bullion) are secure in one place. Safety deposit boxes and home safes are great examples of ways to securely store physical assets. Additionally, these options also make it easier for your family to access important things like your will or estate plan in the event of an emergency. You should also consider digital options such as the cloud, as you can easily access any documentation you might need securely, safely, and at the click of a button. Knowing that your documents are safe will give you peace of mind, and, if you meditate as a daily habit, will give you the ability to center yourself and your thoughts knowing that all of your important assets, documents, and valuables are safe and secure.