Staying Safe While Letting Go

Layoffs and firings of employees are a fact of business life. However, these actions can introduce significant cybersecurity risks if not properly handled. The potential for former employees to access and misuse sensitive date and systems, either intentionally or accidentally, is becoming an increasing risk for businesses of all sizes. 

Here are a few of the most significant cybersecurity risks associated with letting employees go: 

1. Unsecured data: When an employee leaves a company, their access to sensitive data and systems should be revoked promptly. If not, they may be able to access sensitive information such as confidential business plans, customer data, and trade secrets. 
2. Data theft: Former employees may steal confidential data, either for personal gain or to pass it on to competitors. This can be especially damaging if the data is proprietary or has a significant impact on the business. 
3. Account hijacking: If a former employee still has access to systems, they can potentially use that access to hijack an account or cause harm to the company's data and systems. 
4. Malicious insider attacks: In some cases, former employees may seek revenge against their former employer by intentionally causing harm to the company's systems and data. 

To minimize these risks, companies should implement a comprehensive process for managing employee terminations that includes the following steps: 

1. Review access: A comprehensive review of all systems and data access granted to the employee should be conducted, and any access that is no longer necessary should be revoked. 
2. Monitor systems: The company should monitor its systems and data for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts by the former employee. 
3. Change passwords: All passwords and credentials used by the former employee should be changed, including those for email, networks, and cloud-based systems. 
4. Educate employees: Employees should be educated about the risks associated with layoffs and firings, and the importance of following proper protocols. 
5. Consider legal action: If a former employee engages in illegal activities, such as stealing confidential data, the company should consider taking legal action. 

Just as companies manage the cybersecurity risks inherent in daily business operations through implementation of a comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity system, a well defined process for managing employee terminations can minimize these risks and protect a business' sensitive data and systems. NuSpective and their partners have the experience and expertise to evaluate your company's potential cybersecurity weaknesses and offer advice, programs and 24/7 monitoring of cybersecurity systems to ensure the greatest protection for every aspect of your company's cybersecurity needs.