What did I do with that email...?

2012-02-14 11:01:55 by Jenny

In the age of social media and quick access to the Internet, information leaks are becoming more and more common.

In the last couple of days alone there have been two leaks – one reported leak from a City employee relating to Amazon’s smartphone debut with the launch a Kindle phone and another from Everton Football Club, who have announced they are conducting an internal investigation into a series of leaked emails criticising the club. 

Once information has been leaked publicly, word will spread across the social web like wildfire, making it impossible to control. So how can organisations try to ensure information leaks do not occur in the first place?

Control over communications is key. Initially only inform those who need to be involved, both internally and externally - in an ideal world you'll hopefully have a plan in place that details who should be informed and what the procedures are for such a scenario, enabling you to respond quickly and effectively, minimising any potential fallout.

Ensure you inform them of the confidential nature of the information and it's commercially sensitive consider a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Do not say anything in an email that you wouldn’t say to the world - mistakes are easily made and in this digital age always consider that verbal communications can be more secure.

In the event that information is leaked - how should PR agencies and communications professionals deal with the disclosure of information?

First things first – do not lie! The truth will almost always come out and your reputation will be severely damaged. Have a crisis plan in the event of an information leak – anticipate that it will happen and fully prepare for all eventualities. Inform all employees and stakeholders of the situation as journalists may try to contact them for further information so ensure they are clearly briefed on how to react.

Finally agree a holding statement in case of a leak and stick to it. Keep it brief and avoid simply saying “no comment” – it will only add fuel to the fire.