The industry knowledge contained in this article is provided by our featured contributor, Mike Mellskog. Mike is the IT Systems Manager at Verified Credentials, with 11+ years of experience ensuring our technology is safe, secure, and reliable.
In an era of increasing cyber threats, evolving privacy regulations, and growing public awareness of data protection, safeguarding consumer information is no longer just a compliance requirement; it’s a fundamental business responsibility.
Background screening providers handle some of the most sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, employment histories, criminal records, financial data, and other personally identifiable information (PII). A single security incident can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individuals whose information is compromised but also the employers and partners who rely on the integrity of the hiring process.
As organizations continue to embrace digital hiring and interconnected technology platforms, robust consumer data security practices have become crucial. Strong cybersecurity measures, transparent data governance, and commitment to privacy help protect consumers, strengthen client confidence, and reinforce the trust that underpins every stage of the employment screening process.
Because consumer privacy practices are multifaceted, there are several ways to determine if the screening company you are considering is committed to maintaining consumer privacy. Keep reading for a quick guide to identifying screening companies that adhere to acceptable consumer privacy standards.
Screening providers are subject to rigorous data-handling standards and are often eager to display their certifications and achievements. Companies are often transparent about compliance practices to demonstrate their ability to meet or exceed industry standards.
While there are many state- or industry-specific data handling certifications, common certifications include the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) Certification and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants System and Organization Controls (AICPA SOC) Attestation. These certifications can be identified by the following logos often found on a screening company’s website or official documents:
Although it is a voluntary accreditation, most employers, compliance officers, and industry stakeholders consider Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) standards to be the benchmark for responsible background screening. PBSA’s Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP) measures several factors for compliance; those focused on consumer privacy include:
A PBSA accreditation is intended to confirm that a screening provider effectively handles consumer data while minimizing risk and maintaining compliance and accuracy.
AICPA SOC Attestations are conducted by independent CPA firms and evaluate an organization’s systems for managing data security, confidentiality, and operational controls. This demonstrates that the organization has acceptable policies and systems in place to safeguard PII, confidential employment data, and legally protected records. It also confirms that security and operational integrity standards have been met.
The National Institute of Standards (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 (NIST 800-53) provides a catalog of privacy and security controls for information systems. Many prominent security frameworks are derived from or heavily rely on NIST 800-53 as a technical control baseline, as it serves as the foundational catalog of security controls for the U.S. federal government. Key design features that lend to its applicability across systems include:
There is no official certification available for NIST 800-53 compliance; organizations may receive and display a Letter of Attestation from a third-party audit confirming adherence to the publication framework.
The TRUSTe Enterprise Privacy Certification is one of many privacy certification standards offered by TrustArc. Companies displaying the TRUSTe Certified Privacy seal have demonstrated that their privacy policies and practices meet the TRUSTe Enterprise Privacy & Data Governance Practices Assessment Criteria.
The Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP) is a Department of Information Resources (DIR) program that reviews security measures taken by cloud products and services that transmit data to Texas state agencies. To be accepted into the program, cloud providers must comply with an established DIR framework and continuous compliance.
Regulatory compliance for consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) is determined by many influences, including state laws, international standards, and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements. Ideally, your screening partner would be well-versed in all three, with systematic operations in place to meet the standards for each.
Some major consumer data processing-related requirements and compliance standards to note include:
Below are some policies, procedures, and concepts that organizations handling consumer data may apply to help stay secure.
There’s no question that employees need to undergo a thorough background screening before receiving access to consumer data, but some organizations handling extremely sensitive or personally identifiable data may want to go the extra mile to ensure data security. By continuously monitoring the staff members responsible for processing, accessing, interpreting, storing, and deleting consumer data, these organizations can ensure their staff keep pace with ever-changing compliance requirements and remain qualified to manage sensitive data.
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