It’s always unfortunate when an employee leaves, whether on their own terms or with cause. It’s even more unfortunate when they leave taking valuable data with them. In an article in ITWorld, Ryan Francis talks to Bill Ho, CEO of Biscom — who did a recent study on company data vulnerabilities — to get some tips on dealing with this issue. Below are some of the tips Ho provided:
- Policies are key. Ho says that the Biscom study showed that 84 per cent of employees didn’t think there was a policy stopping them from taking data with them. “To help prevent this, create comprehensive policies that are clear and thorough, outlining that all information, documents, and data created by the employee, or any other employee, are considered company property,” says Ho.
- Put it in the employee agreement. Including terms and consequences in company communications with the employee, such as offer letters, makes it official, says Ho. “This will help each employee understand that all information created while at the company, is to be regarded as proprietary and confidential from Day 1,” he says.
- Add it to training: Protocols on data protection and security should be included in employee orientation and training, says Ho. “This is a good time to communicate policies such as using personal devices to access and complete company tasks, and using consumer versions of file sharing and collaboration tools,” he says.
- Know your systems: Recognize attacks, and how to block, cancel or deny permission to data. “The longer critical information is unprotected and exposed, the more vulnerable your data and company is to harm,” says Ho.
- Make reporting part of company culture. “Teach employees basic tips on phishing schemes and how to speak up if they suspect an internal threat,” says Ho.
For more tips, check out the article at: http://www.itworld.com/article/3083088/data-protection/how-to-prevent-data-from-leaving-with-a-departing-employee.html
