Survey: Staffers Would Purloin Company IP

Nearly half of American workers would have no problem stealing corporate data including customer lists, product plans and other key intellectual property if they were leaving their current position for a new job.

That’s according to a new study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of security software vendor SailPoint. According to the survey of almost 1,600 American and British workers, 49 percent and 52 percent, respectively would nab corporate data on their way out. In particular, 29 percent of U.S. respondents and 23 percent of UK workers said they would take customer data and contact information. On the other hand, only 13 percent and 22 percent, respectively, would swipe small office supplies like pens, folders and staplers.

“Companies should be gravely concerned with these survey responses,” Jackie Gilbert, SailPoint’s vice president of marketing and co-founder, said in the report. “I believe the survey illustrates that many employees may not believe that taking company data is equivalent to stealing. It highlights what I call a ‘moral grey area’ around ownership of electronic data.”

Facing increased scrutiny and oversight from both customers and regulators, companies of all sizes are looking for security applications and procedures — be it file-monitoring tools or mandatory security training sessions — to keep their employees in line.

Read the rest at eSecurity Planet.