McCain’s confidential information (including financial and other sensitive information) is a valuable asset that gives us a competitive advantage. Its unauthorized use or release can cause the loss of this advantage and damage our business relationships with third parties. We have legal and ethical obligations to protect personal information about individuals.
Our Company
Protecting Confidential Information
We respect the sensitivity of non-public information and handle it with care. This includes information that may belong to others.
Why It Matters.
How We Deliver.
- We collect only the minimum information necessary for our purposes.
- We retain information only as long as it is needed.
- We protect any personal or confidential information that is entrusted to us.
- We limit access to confidential information to authorized individuals with a “need to know.”
- We disclose confidential information only with approval and when there is a valid business need.
- We never use confidential information for personal benefit.
- We do not discuss confidential matters in public places or with family and friends.
- We escort visitors while on company premises. We do not allow them to go into restricted areas and we are mindful to keep confidential information out of view.
- We report any concerns promptly.
Good Ethics.
From time to time, we receive requests to provide information regarding our business or our industry that are in fact attempts to exploit our confidential information. We never advise any outside party, or accept any consulting work (whether paid or unpaid), without formal approval.
Good Business.
A: No. Confidential information must be safeguarded carefully. Only people with a genuine “need to know” should see it. Obtain proper approval before taking photos inside a plant, facility or any place confidential information could be visible. If you did have permission to take the photo, remove or mask the confidential information before you use it, even internally.
A: No. Confidential documents should be kept secure and out of sight.
A: Before responding to media inquiries, please consult with R&D team leadership and the External Affairs department. Only specifically authorized people can speak on behalf of McCain. You may also need to involve the legal team if there could be confidential information or trade secrets involved.
A: Care needs to be taken to protect confidential information. This includes when and where it is accessed. A trade secret can stay secret forever if we protect it. Our obligation to protect company information continues no matter where we are. This applies, even if we no longer work at McCain. It was a mistake to view the information in a public place. But, you make it worse if you don’t report the incident immediately. Report it to your manager and to a member of the Legal & Compliance team.
Food for Thought
“We have legal and ethical obligations to protect personal information about individuals.”