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June 2024: Issue 2

   
     

LATEST SCREENING NEWS

School's Out: Ensuring Your Child's Safety at Summer Camps and Daycare

School's out for summer, and that means it's time to find safe and fun activities for your kids. Whether it's a summer camp or daycare, ensuring your child's safety is a top priority. Here are offers some key tips on what to look for to keep your children secure this summer.


Questions to Ask: Before enrolling your child, make sure to ask these important questions:

  • What is the screening process for camp counselors/volunteers?
  • Do camp counselors/volunteers undergo background checks?
  • Will camp counselors/volunteers ever be alone with kids?
  • What kind of training do camp counselors/volunteers receive?
  • Are there pools on the premises? If so, will they ever be unlocked without a lifeguard present?

Communicate with Your Kids: Talking to your kids about their camp experience is a very important part of ensuring your child's safety. Engage in open conversations to make your children feel safe and comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions.

  • Ask questions like: "Why are you excited about going to camp?" "Are you nervous about anything?" "What can I help you with?"

These discussions ensure that your kids know it's safe to talk to you about their experiences and feelings..


New York Signs Landmark Clean Slate Bill into Law

More than 2.3 Million New Yorkers are on deck to receive a shot at redemption

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the New York Clean Slate Act into law, paving the way for over 2.3 million New Yorkers to clear eligible conviction records. This legislation, which gained approval in June 2023, will benefit those who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free for a specified period. With this move, New York becomes the 12th state to adopt a record clearance law meeting The Clean Slate Initiative's policy minimums.

A New Beginning Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, highlighted the significance of this policy, stating that it will enable individuals to rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and access opportunities previously denied due to past convictions. The law is expected to reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and boost New York's economy by expanding the workforce. New York joins states like Pennsylvania, Utah, New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, Virginia, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, and Minnesota in passing comprehensive Clean Slate laws.


The New York Clean Slate Act will automatically clear eligible conviction records, offering a fresh start for millions. More details are available on Clean Slate NY's website.

Key Takeaways:

  • Many individuals will have their past conviction records automatically cleared, improving their chances of gaining employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
  • Employers and other end-users will see a broader pool of candidates who were previously excluded due to criminal records.
  • The reduction of stigma and fostering of more inclusive hiring practices are expected outcomes.

What Our Clients Should Expect: 

EDIFY clients can rest assured that our process already incorporates pulling records directly from the originating source to ensure timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with the latest laws, including those with clean slate laws already in place. This means that the implementation of New York's Clean Slate law will be seamlessly integrated into our existing systems. Our clients can expect up-to-date and accurate information, reflecting all applicable state laws, ensuring they continue to receive reliable and comprehensive background checks.

   

COMPLIANCE CORNER

Ensuring Data Security and Privacy: Best Practices for Employers

You've probably read that many of the largest health organization in the country are under cyber-attack and many have already been breached and suffered signification harm to their organization and had the private information of millions of people exposed on the dark-web.  In today's digital age, protecting sensitive information is paramount for organizations across all industries. Ensuring data security and privacy is not just a legal obligation but a critical aspect of maintaining trust with employees and clients. Below, we outline key strategies and best practices for employers to safeguard data and comply with relevant regulations.


Understanding Data Security

Data security involves protecting digital information from unauthorized access, corruption, or theft throughout its lifecycle. This includes securing the data at rest, in transit, and during processing. Employers must implement robust security measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.


Key Components of Data Security

  1. Confidentiality:

    • Limit access to confidential information to authorized personnel only.
    • Use encryption to protect data both at rest and in transit.
    • Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.

  2. Integrity:

    • Ensure data is accurate and trustworthy by implementing checks and audits.
    • Protect against unauthorized alterations through access controls and version tracking.

  3. Availability:

    • Ensure that data is accessible to authorized users when needed by maintaining reliable backup systems and disaster recovery plans.
    • Monitor systems continuously to detect and respond to threats promptly.

Best Practices for Employers

  1. Develop a Comprehensive Data Security Policy:

    • Outline procedures for data access, sharing, storage, and disposal.
    • Ensure the policy complies with industry standards and legal requirements.
    • Regularly review and update the policy to adapt to new threats and technologies.

  2. Employee Training and Awareness:

    • Conduct regular training sessions on data security practices and the importance of protecting sensitive information.
    • Create a culture of security awareness where employees understand their role in maintaining data security.

  3. Use Strong Encryption Methods:

    • Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest using strong encryption standards.
    • Ensure that all data transmissions, including emails and file transfers, are secure.

  4. Implement Access Controls:

    • Use role-based access control to restrict access to sensitive information based on job responsibilities.
    • Regularly review access permissions and remove access for employees who no longer require it.

  5. Secure Physical and Electronic Storage:

    • Protect physical devices and storage media containing sensitive information with secure locks and access controls.
    • Use secure cloud storage solutions that offer robust security features and compliance with data protection regulations.

  6. Regular Audits and Monitoring:

    • Conduct regular audits of data security practices and systems to identify and address vulnerabilities.
    • Implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time.

  7. Prepare for Data Breaches:

    • Develop and maintain an incident response plan to manage data breaches effectively.
    • Ensure the plan includes procedures for notifying affected individuals, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.

Non-compliance with data security regulations for customer data can lead to significant legal consequences, including fines and reputational damage. To mitigate these risks, we encourage our clients to work with competent legal counsel and security professionals to ensure their data security measures are up to date, and comply with relevant laws and best practices. By implementing these strategies, employers can protect sensitive information, maintain regulatory compliance, and build trust with their employees and clients.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: Employment Verifications

EDIFY OFFERS ENHANCED EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATIONS

Are your applicant's lying about their previous work experience on their resume???

In today's competitive job market, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of your hiring process is more crucial than ever. Recent studies reveal a startling trend: over 55% of individuals admit to lying on their resumes at least once, and the number of Google searches about how to fake a resume has surged by 48% this year. Even more alarming, searches specifically related to faking a job reference have increased by 52%, according to StandOutCV.

At EDIFY Background Screening, we understand the importance of hiring trustworthy employees. Our comprehensive Employment Verification services are designed to protect your organization from the risks associated with dishonest applicants.

Key Features of Our Employment Verification Services:

  1. Thorough Employment History Verification: We contact previous employers to confirm job titles, responsibilities, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving where possible. This ensures you receive accurate and complete information about your candidates, helping you make informed hiring decisions.

  2.  Going Beyond Industry Standard: Unlike the industry standard of 3 attempts and close the file... we take time to investigate the employer, seek out alternative contacts, and make at least 5 attempts before we transition to using alternative documentation and our prioprietary sources to verifiy employment even when an employer is unresponsive.
  3. Going Beyond Industry Standard: We attempt to work directly to employers where possible and avoid expensive 3rd party services like The Work Number to make employment verifications more accessible and affordable.     

Don't let fraudulent applications compromise your hiring process. Enhance your recruitment strategy with EDIFY's Employment Verification services and ensure you hire the best candidates for your organization.


Click the button below to learn more about our Employment Verification services and take advantage of a special offer we have going on now when you add employment verifications to your package!

   

PET OF THE MONTH CLUB

Everybody Meet "BELLA"

Bella is a Store Kitty that has lived in Eclectic Calico in Madison, NC since her rescue in January of 2018. She is a very special calico/tabby (aka Tabico) who is also polydactyl with thumbs! Bella is the greeter in the store and loves treats and belly rubs.  She also knows how to spot trouble when it walks in the door as you can see!




 






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Disclaimer:  Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. Edify Background Screening does not offer legal advice, and nothing contained herein should be construed as such. We strongly encourage you to consult with competent legal counsel before using any information provided in this newsletter.

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