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Tom Cruise Couldn’t Even Steal Your Material: Technology to Protect Your Files

Those of you who've seen the "Mission Impossible" movie franchise know they often make the impossible seem all too plausible.

With Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt being able to use some of the most sophisticated technologies to retrieve critical items, it might make you take pause on data theft. As someone managing a lab, you may worry every day about how safe your research files are.

While you can probably rest easy the technologies used by Ethan Hunt aren't available to the average thief, it doesn't mean you still aren't vulnerable. Not owning a good security system already leaves it open to your data being potentially stolen.

Consider some of that theft might occur in-house from unscrupulous employees.

Here's a look at why outsourcing to another lab can prevent these threats.

What Kind of Theft Could You Experience?
Since you can't operate your lab around the clock, theft could easily happen in the middle of the night, on a weekend, or a holiday. While you might think no one would want to break into a laboratory, think again.

Theft can happen in any place, and the person or people breaking in to your lab may try to look for things they can sell. Valuable research data could end up being a prime target to sell on the black market.

Maybe this sounds like "Mission Impossible" territory, but it could easily happen. The question is, how would you handle such a theft in your lab?

Do you have the proper security technologies in place to withstand a burglary? Or do you have security cameras or motion detectors in place to catch a thief in the act?

These all cost money you may not have in your budget. Not having any decent security technology just makes you a sitting duck for a late-night break-in, leaving you open to all kinds of issues.

What Theft Can Do To Your Reputation
Once you experience theft, it could create a major cascade effect on your reputation. First of all, it could lead to losing sponsors because you didn't safeguard critical research data after months of hard work. 

Proving you didn't invest in security measures could wreak havoc on your reputation, creating a snowball effect throughout the scientific industry. You may never get sponsors again based on your inability to protect data.

Also consider how theft can affect staying compliant. Some of the stolen data could compromise the privacy of individuals, or violate specific scientific data. You'd be stuck with major fines you possibly can't pay. Too many violations could place your lab in financial jeopardy, perhaps forcing you to close your doors.

Finding Dependable Security Technology Elsewhere
Outsourcing your research material to a third-party archiving facility allows you to keep your items safe in a place with the latest hi-tech equipment. The best outsourced facilities use technologies like motion detectors so no one can break in and steal a thing.

No, not even a thief on a "Mission Impossible" level can break in (through the door or from the ceiling) without being detected.  Remember, though, theft doesn't always come from outsiders.


Detecting Theft In-House
Motion detectors come in handy to scope out any in-house employees who happen to steal your research data. Despite your data being locked away, these employees may still have access to things you don't want them to see. 

Someone unscrupulous might steal your research data to sell off to a competitor, hence bringing the same problems mentioned above.

Here at HSRL, we can outsource many of your lab duties and provide superior storage facilities for your research materials.  Contact us to learn more about the security technologies we use that can even outwit a rare Ethan Hunt.

HSRL Specializes in Histopathology & Specimen Storage Services

 

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