This is a growth industry and sensible precautions need to be taken to guard against it.

Take specialist advice on the weaknesses in your current management control systems.

• Check bank and trade references of all new suppliers and clients, using recognised trade protection associations or credit reference agencies.
• Try to avoid dependence on one or two major clients and suppliers.
• When dealing with new or unreliable clients, protect your financial position by only making part payment of delivery of goods until you are sure of the client's status.

Data Security
Industrial espionage is on the increase; precautions should therefore be taken to protect your company.

Whilst equipment itself can be replaced, the loss of data and information stored on the computers can be devastating to companies even leading to bankruptcy. Not only your own information but, in many ways worse, if it belongs to a customer.

Back-up procedures need to be implemented and strictly adhered to. Data should always be backed-up on duplicate disks or tapes, which are stored in secure areas. It is always advisable to have a duplicate back-up set to be held off-site.

Secure areas should be created where data is used and all systems should have an effective password routine to stop unwanted viewing. Staff responsible for creating their own passwords should avoid the use of common names and numbers. There are many reports of passwords that include the operator's name, the company telephone number or simply the word 'Secret'. Words found in the dictionary should preferably not be used reading forwards or backwards.

All staff using computers should have password-protected screen savers to stop passers-by seeing confidential information.

Essential Information contained in documents, plans, drawings or visual aids, should be protected by:
• Shredding or burning
• Numbering copies and recording to whom they are issued against signatures
• Documents, agendas, papers, pads, etc, should be collecting after meetings
• Not using temporary staff on any sensitive work

Under the Data Protection Act, individuals are liable to prosecution which can lead to imprisonment or financial penalty for any unauthorised disclosure of information.