Intellectual Property Protection

Intellectual Property Protection

Is Intellectual Property Protection An Issue?

A survey conducted by the tech security company, Symantec Corporation, shows that companies may be severely lax on enforcing their rules about taking and using intellectual property after leaving a job.

Of the people surveyed, only 47 per cent said their organization takes action when employees bring sensitive information with them when they leave their jobs. Worse, 68 per cent of employers do not monitor the use of confidential information employees have obtained from their old jobs. The problem should be discouraged on both ends. The culprit is not always a malicious one. An employee who takes confidential information home from a job without thinking twice about it can be just as harmful to your company as an employee stealing information purposefully.

Intellectual Property Protection Statistics

• 50% of employees took confidential data with them when leaving their jobs last year.
• 80% of employees who took sensitive data intended to use it at their new place of work.
• 47% of employers said their organization takes action when employees bring sensitive information with them when they leave their jobs.
• 68% of employers do not monitor the use of confidential information obtained from employees’ old jobs.

What Does Intellectual property Protection Look Like?

Make sure you have thorough agreements that employees sign at their time of hire that clearly state the guidelines for keeping intellectual property within your organization. Patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets are an important part of your business. The laws associated with these concepts will help you protect your intellectual property and keep sensitive information safe. Before employees leave, have them review those contracts to remind them of what constitutes sensitive information. In additional to paper files, make sure to obtain any confidential material employees have stored on personal computers or other devices. Your line of defence for keeping intellectual property safe should be strong and strictly enforced.

To Learn More About Intellectual Property Protection Speak To An ALIGNED Insurance Advocate Or Connect With Us Today At www.alignedinsurance.com