Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

The Daily Habits That Keep Federal PII Safe and Your Contract Intact

31 Aug 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:57

In this training video, the presenter emphasizes that most privacy incidents stem from routine, everyday mistakes—such as leaving documents on printers, emailing files to the wrong recipient, or misplacing laptops and flash drives. To protect federally regulated personally identifiable information (PII) and stay compliant with agency contracts, the speaker outlines three core habit categories: (1) Paper record handling – never leave PII unattended on desks or in conference rooms, stay with printing jobs, use locked storage, and follow clean‑desk expectations; (2) Electronic information security – store data only in approved locations and collaboration tools, employ strong authentication, never share credentials, lock screens when away, and encrypt data per agency/contract requirements; (3) Secure disposal – when records are authorized for destruction, use agency‑specified methods such as locked shred bins, burn bags, or approved media sanitization, and never discard PII in regular trash. Consistent application of these practical, common‑sense controls keeps PII safe and ensures contract compliance.

Chapters

Most privacy incidents aren't dramatic hacker stories. They're everyday mistakes. A document left on a printer. A file emailed to the wrong person. A laptop left in a car. A flash drive lost or left where someone else can pick it up. Safeguarding PII means applying practical, common-sense controls consistently. For paper records, don't leave PII unattended on desks or in conference rooms. Don't walk away from printers while sensitive pages are printing. Use locked storage compartments when required. Follow clean desk expectations when you step away. For electronic information, use only approved storage locations and approved collaboration tools. Use strong authentication and never share credentials. Lock your screen when you step away. Encrypt or otherwise secure data as required by the agency and your contract. For disposal, when a record is authorized for destruction, It must be destroyed securely so it cannot be reconstructed or recovered. Use the approved destruction methods your agency specifies, such as locked shred bins, burn bags, or approved media sanitization processes. Never discard records containing PII in regular trash or recycling bins. Always use the approved destruction processes designated by your agency or contract.