When you’re running a business, there are a lot of things to keep track of. One thing that may not be at the top of your list but is still important? Confidentiality agreements. 

What are they? Why do you need them? And what should you include in them?

In this blog post, we’ll answer all those questions and more. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to know about confidentiality agreements and why your business needs to use them.

What is a confidentiality agreement?

A confidentiality agreement, also known as a nondisclosure agreement or NDA, is a legal contract between two different parties. This legal agreement protects sensitive information from being disclosed.

This can include things like trade secrets, business plans, and other proprietary information. For example, if you’re a business owner and you have a new product that you don’t want your competitors to know about, you could use a confidentiality agreement to protect that information.

Why is a confidentiality agreement necessary?

There are a few reasons your business might need a confidentiality agreement. First, if you’re dealing with sensitive information, you’ll want to protect it from being disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

For example, if you’re working on a new product, you don’t want your competitors to find out about it and steal your idea. Second, confidentiality agreements can help create trust between parties. If you’re sharing sensitive information with someone, they may be more likely to trust you if they know that there are legal consequences for disclosing that information.

Finally, confidentiality agreements can help protect your business from liability. If someone discloses sensitive information that they learned through your business, you could be held liable. There really is no reason to not have a confidentiality agreement in place.

Risks of not using confidentiality agreements

There are a few risks of not using confidentiality agreements. First, if you’re dealing with sensitive information, unauthorized individuals may gain access to confidential information.

Second, courts could hold you liable if an employee or client discloses confidential information. For example, if you have an employee who leaves your company and starts working for a competitor, they could give away trade secrets or business plans. Protecting yourself from these risks is just one reason it’s important to have a confidentiality agreement in place.

In addition,  they can help prevent lawsuits from happening. If someone discloses confidential information and you can prove that they learned it through your business, you may be able to sue them for damages.

Protecting Yourself From Liability

One of the main reasons businesses use confidentiality agreements is to protect themselves. By having employees and clients sign NDAs, you can help reduce the risk of being held liable if they leak confidential information. Also, if someone discloses sensitive information, you’ll have legal documentation to back up your case. For example, if you’re in the middle of a lawsuit, you can use your confidentiality agreement to prove that the other party was aware of the sensitive information.

Plus, today’s confidentiality agreements are easier to use than ever before. For example, WaiverPlus offers done-for-you templates of confidentiality agreements that are ready to use. Simply download and sign – and you are done. Ready to get started? Sign up for a free WaiverPlus trial here and try before you buy. Remember – you never need a credit card to sign up.