A successful startup will quickly develop data and/or trade
secrets that are unique and vital to its business. This information
must be safe-guarded, but unfortunately not just from competitors.
Most thefts of data and trade secrets actually come from
individuals inside of a company, and approximately 85 percent of
corporate data theft is committed by people known to the
company.
Employers should be on the lookout for the following behavior
pattern by their employees: (i) coming into work early or staying
late; (ii) accessing folders where there was no previous access;
(iii) slowly cleaning out his or her office; and (iv) resigning,
citing a new job with a competitor, a desire to take time off or go
back to school. If you suspect that an employee is committing theft
you should begin to monitor network activity, secure all data on
any company devices, and investigate/interview other employees in
order to recreate an employee's last few weeks.
