Confidential, Proprietary and Personal Information Duke Energy's Code of Business Ethics

Duke Energy uses confidential, proprietary and personal information ("sensitive information") in the course of doing business. This includes the company's sensitive information, as well as that of third parties.

Duke Energy complies with laws protecting sensitive information from unlawful disclosure. Failure to comply with these laws and standards can cause irreparable damage to the Duke Energy brand and can result in legal penalties, adverse regulatory actions and restrictions. It can also prohibit Duke Energy from conducting business within certain countries.

Our Responsibilities

Duke Energy employees are expected to protect Duke Energy and third-party sensitive information from unlawful disclosure, and to ensure that such information is handled properly throughout the organization.

Duke Energy employees must:

  • Use sensitive information for business purposes only.
  • Use business unit procedures for labeling and handling sensitive information.
  • Share sensitive information only with appropriate parties both within and outside of Duke Energy.
  • Use health information solely for the administration of health plans.
  • Make sure that use of sensitive information is consistent with our policies, affiliate rules, contractual obligations and applicable laws.

Employees must not:

  • Disclose sensitive information to individuals (including other employees) who do not have a business need to know the information.
  • Help a third party gain access to sensitive information without authorization.

Q&A

Q: What is confidential or proprietary information?
A: Confidential or proprietary information is any information that provides a third party with some kind of business advantage and is not generally known to the public. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Inventions
  • Operational information
  • Strategic information about current and/or future business plans
  • Supplier's pricing and specifications
  • Research
  • Records, such as financial, customer or personnel records
  • Information designated as confidential or proprietary.

Q: What type of information would be considered personal information?
A: Personal information includes, but is not limited to:

  1. health information,
  2. social security number or national ID (or equivalent),
  3. consumer report information,
  4. a natural person’s first name or first initial and last name in combination with
  • social security or employer taxpayer ID numbers
  • drivers license, state identification card, or passport numbers
  • banking information
  • credit card numbers
  • PIN codes
  • electronic ID numbers
  • private electronic mail names or addresses
  • private phone number
  • internet account numbers
  • identification names
  • digital signatures
  • any information that can be used to access a person’s financial resources
  • biometric data
  • fingerprints
  • passwords
  • parent’s legal surname prior to marriage, or
  1. any other information protected by Duke Energy’s Policies, Standards, Procedures or applicable laws.