Quarterly Compliance Update, Q2 2019

Quarterly Compliance Updates | May 22, 2019

A continuous monitoring option for background checks, infrastructure penetration testing results, and an upcoming opportunity for Fair Credit Reporting Act training are all part of this compliance update.

Each quarter, PlusOne Solutions provides a compliance update to keep you abreast of changes and updates in legal developments as well as company news. This information is provided for education only and does not constitute legal advice.

Are you interested in Continuous Criminal Monitoring?

PlusOne Solutions completes a robust background screening at onboarding and every two years thereafter. We are currently exploring the option of offering continuous monitoring for U.S. networks. There is no equivalent service in Canada. The information obtained from monitoring can identify potential behavior that may pose a risk to your business, customers, brand, customer loyalty and reputation. Working with a partner who is a leader in data solutions will provide us access to near-real-time incarceration data for over 140 million U.S. booking records from over 2,800 county jails and Department of Corrections facilities. This covers upwards of 73 percent of the population and continues to increase as more sources are added. Continuous monitoring would typically provide notice within 24 hours of an incarceration or booking event. These alerts provide proactive and timely information and cover a wider geographic area than the local level county record check, which may be done at the time of re-screening.

What is the process?
In the proposed process, PlusOne Solutions reviews all received information to confirm it belongs to the correct individual and the relevance of the charges to their eligibility. If the charges are relevant, PlusOne Solutions contacts the individual involved and attempts to gain an understanding of the circumstances and the gravity of the offense. We will seek independent verification or additional details. After, we would work together to determine what action, if any at all, should be taken with the individual. PlusOne may even determine that no action can be taken until after court proceedings are completed.

Ideally, Customers should maintain a contractual requirement across their service network for self-reporting of any arrest or incarceration activity that occurs between screening periods. This does not necessarily mean the individual will be considered ineligible for program requirements if there is a reportable event, only that you are presented with the opportunity to investigate the matter further. Per the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements, an arrest alone is not enough to make adverse decisions against an individual.

Continuous monitoring can play an important role in an overall risk management program and may be critical in protecting the most important assets of your business – your customers, reputation and other resources. Want to learn more? Contact us for more information.

Infrastructure Penetration Testing Results 2019

Based on an external penetration test conducted last month, the risk to PlusOne Solutions’ external infrastructure and internal networks are well within acceptable levels. “With the size of PlusOne Solutions’ infrastructure and amount of web applications, they have done an excellent job of securing their systems and customer information, and they present a clear desire to continue to do so. Compared to peer institutions, PlusOne Solutions appears above average regarding cybersecurity,” the report states.

The value of a good name

Did you know the most important piece of information in the background search is the individual’s name? This includes accurate and complete spelling of the first, middle and last name, alias names as well as maiden or alternate names. Including all these names improves the overall result. The middle name is becoming increasingly important to help PlusOne Solutions determine if a record belongs to an individual, especially when they have a common name.

Annual FCRA User Certification Training – Spring 2019

PlusOne Solutions will once again be providing the annual Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) training module for all customer users. The training covers the basics of this law, the responsibilities of requesting and using consumer reports, as well as the obligations for the destruction of information. This is a training for our U.S.-based customers, as the FCRA only applies to the U.S.

Why does this matter?
As a National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Accredited agency, PlusOne Solutions requests an annual certification from customers to ensure their partnership in remaining compliant with FCRA obligations. Completion of this training constitutes certification and keeps customer users updated on ongoing trends as well.

Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel concerning their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.

About PlusOne Solutions

PlusOne Solutions has been an industry leader in the risk management field by specializing in compliance programs that meet the complex challenges of geographically dispersed contractors, vendors, and employee networks. PlusOne Solutions protects companies from possible financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships while creating safer work environments. To learn more, visit https://plusonesolutio.wpengine.com.