The proliferation of flash drives, iPods, camera cell phones, BlackBerrys and similar electronic devices has put all companies at added risk for insider theft. With the use of these devices, downloading significant amounts of data is easy, virtually instantaneous and often very difficult to detect. These risks apply to essentially all companies that allow employees access to electronically stored, confidential and proprietary information.
The pocket devices used by employees to transport data between home and work, or on the road when traveling, are susceptible to theft just like any other piece of personal property. Stolen private customer or client information not only puts a business and its trade secrets at risk, but also subjects the business to legal liability claims by individuals or other companies whose private information is leaked as a result.
