Layoffs: Studies Say There Are Threats to Data
Recently in Insurance Buyers’ News, a direct mail newsletter, came to our office and included a serious article that businesses should be considering today. Unfortunately with layoffs still occurring, the numbers of disgruntled employees is rising, which poses a threat to a company’s data.
“Layoffs Increase Data Breach Risks”, discusses a recent example with a systems administrator. He demanded money and references, or else he would attack the servers. Although he was caught and prosecuted, the damage that could have been done would have been a serious cost to the company.
Studies are beginning to show that employees are not planning on taking just their pens when they leave, but also vital information. The question of course becomes, how are you going to protect your data? It is important to be prepared, especially if there is a possibility of layoffs in the near future.
We recommend a few key tactics to protecting your company from the potential threat:
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Control access to applications
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Create a strong SSO solution with stronger authentication
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Allow administrators to be able to easily audit usernames and inactive users
Many laid off employees have been found to still be able to access their old accounts, even after the layoff occurred. Treating employees with respect is a way to make these hard times smoother, but protecting your data, and current employees is key.