Where is your data?
Article Abstract:
Unmanageable volumes of data being facilitated by digital storage systems require attorneys to consider crucial security issues. Electronic data's compact storage allows vast numbers of paper documents, formerly held in filing cabinets, to be saved on disks. While these storage innovations provide more efficient filing systems, they also simplify trade secret theft via e-mail interceptions. Although encryption software is touted as a viable security solution to safeguard client privacy, E-mail list messages can easily be accidently forwarded to the wrong individuals. Electronic data, unlike paper documents, which can be irreparably destroyed, can often times be retrieved even after it has been erased. Important records are much harder to distinguish electronically than when they are on paper since volumes of invisible electronic documents are continually expanding and often remain hidden in storage much longer than paper records.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1997
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Protecting our privacy
Article Abstract:
The disclosure of personal information held by private companies is almost entirely unrestricted, and personal information may readily be found both in databases and on the Internet. For example, Lexis-Nexis published the P-TRAK database, which provided information, including social security numbers, on more than 300 million people. User protest forced the company to stop publishing the social security numbers and to allow users to remove their names from the list if desired. However, selling public records is a legitimate business, and lawyers and others often need access to such records. Still, lawyers must be cautious about using personal data, and they must realize that their own personal information is vulnerable as well. There are Web sites devoted specifically to searching for others. The conflict between those searching for personal data and those trying to protect it is likely to continue.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1996
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State law on the Internet
Article Abstract:
Most state legislatures have sites on the Web, but the information provided varies from site to site, and lawyers cannot always be sure they will find primary or statutory legal resources. Some states, including California, provide text for new bills, newly enacted laws and the new laws as they are found in the state code. States typically give site visitors the ability to search session bills that are under discussion in the legislature. Some states offer summaries of the bills rather than full text. Some state codes are on the Web, most organized by title. Users must be aware that legal materials from the Internet must be from an accurate source. The material must also be complete and reliable. A list of states and their Web sites is provided.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1996
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