In a previous post we addressed the underlying issues and harm caused by an ex-employee stealing confidential company information. We discussed that having internal policies in place to prevent data theft which often entails fostering an environment where employees have limited access to confidential data from their initial hire date. The unsettling reality that cannot be overlooked, however, is that even with the implementation of a thorough policy, a resourceful and persistent employee will inevitably be able to steal Company data. Rather than allowing an atmosphere of paranoia to kick in and envelop your Company, the best method to approach this scenario is to rely on forensics examiners to help demonstrate that the ex-employee took information without consent which will undeniably cause harm to the company.

Ultimately, in this context what you don’t know can hurt you. Professional assistance ensures a greater likelihood of not only effective data theft prevention, but also assessing the damage after the fact with the goal of bringing the ex-employee to *justice (*tune into future posts for legal recourse against an ex-employee). Computer forensics experts can locate evidence of an employee’s improper conduct using specialized software, hardware and techniques.

Intellectual Property (IP) can be defined as a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply to prevent others from use of that creativity. The rights and protections for owners of intellectual property are based on federal patent, trademark and copyright laws. The basic distinction between these laws are that Patents protect inventions of tangible things, Copyrights protect various forms of written and artistic expression, and Trademarks protect a name or symbol that identifies the source of goods or services.

The purpose of these laws is to give an incentive for people to develop creative works that benefit society, by ensuring they can profit from their works without fear of misappropriation by others. The whole purpose for creating these laws would be defeated if skilled hackers could simply circumvent any creative process by simply stealing the creative works. The reality is that with modern technology in place, IP theft could not only occur in theory but is an inevitable occurrence for any Company that does not have proper procedures in place.

As mentioned in previous blog posts, the impact of digital forensics on society in recent years cannot be understated. Perhaps the far-reaching implications of digital forensics have never been more evident than in the several days leading up to the 2016 presidential election. As a Company that provides digital forensics, e-Discovery, and data recovery services, Digital Forensic Corporation knows firsthand the process and procedures that are currently being used by the FBI to retrieve, investigate, and report on deleted information.