Protect Your Company from an Employee Raid

While most employers trust their staff implicitly, many may be vulnerable to theft or raid from defecting employees. In fact, a 2005 employer survey conducted jointly by the FBI and Computer Security Institute indicated that computer crimes against a company, including stealing or contaminating vital information, occurred just as frequently from inside the organization as from the outside.

Because of the potential for escalating damage, time is of the essence in the aftermath of an employee raid. Employers should act quickly to mitigate potential damages and bolster their chances of recovery or successful legal action. Here are a few steps employers can take to minimize company losses.

Secure the employee’s computer: Turn off the employee’s computer and disable any passwords immediately. These steps accomplish two things. First, they prevent the departing employee from remotely accessing his or her computer and causing further damage. Second, they preserve potential evidence because information on a computer can often be traced to a source.

Disable company access: Once it’s determined that a raid has occurred, immediately disable access to important company systems. For example, if disruptive past employees used a security card to enter the building or had some other secure access, change codes to ensure they can’t re-enter company grounds unnoticed. It’s also a good idea to alert key staff to be on the lookout for former staff members who should no longer be on the premises.

Review security tapes: If your company uses videotaped security, ask security staff members to immediately review tapes for suspicious activity relating to the employee.

Seal the employee’s work area: Check for missing files or missing company equipment. Then review call, email and vehicle logs, and any other tracked information for possible evidence.

Interview fellow employees: Talk with the employee’s co-workers to determine if they know anything or observed anything unusual. Many times, seemingly unimportant details can lead to critical evidence.

Conduct exit interviews: Often, when one employee defects, there are others who give notice with the intention of following him or her. Conducting exit interviews provides an opportunity to assess departing workers’ plans and remind them that company information is confidential.

Alert your attorney: Contact your attorney immediately and explain what has happened. He or she can advise you on additional steps to take to protect your company.