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Data Loss Risks During Downsizing

Sponsored by Symantec Corporation
Independently conducted by Ponemon Institute LLC Publication Date: February 23, 2009

Ponemon Institute© Private & Confidential Document

Data Loss Risks During Downsizing
As Employees Exit so Does the Corporate Data
Presented by Dr. Larry Ponemon, February 23, 2009

Executive Summary Whether they are losing their jobs because of the current recession or simply looking for better opportunities, there are significant numbers of people exiting their current position. In addition to the HR issues, companies should be aware of the possibility that these employees may be walking off with their sensitive and confidential data. This type of data loss problem may be putting companies at risk for a potential data breach. Moreover stealing proprietary data, such as customer lists, can put the company at a competitive disadvantage. Sponsored by Symantec, Ponemon Institute independently conducted this national study entitled, Data Loss Risks During Downsizing to understand what employees are doing with the data on the laptops their employers provided them. According to our findings, 59% of employees who leave or are asked to leave are stealing company data. Moreover, 79% of these respondents admit that their former employer did not permit them to leave with company data. Our study reveals that companies are doing a very poor job at preventing former employees from stealing data. Only 15% of respondents’ companies review or perform an audit of the paper and/or electronic documents employees are taking. If they conduct a review, 45% say it was not complete and 29% say it was superficial. It is also surprising to learn that 67% of respondents used their former company’s confidential, sensitive or proprietary information to leverage a new job. Approximately 68% are planning to use such information as email lists, customer contact lists and employee records that they stole from their employer. Not only