The High Court has seen a significant increase in data theft cases being heard, according to UK law firm EMW. These cases tend to relate to information stolen from businesses by employees, and the availability of cloud storage is being blamed, together with the increasing number of people working remotely. Between 2011 and 2012, there was a huge 58% increase in the number of cases being heard relating to confidential data theft, increasing from 106 to 167 cases respectively.
It has been suggested that there was a 250% increase when compared to 2010 (45 cases), but this was somewhat of an anomaly, having decreased from 95 cases in 2009. In recent years however, there has be a definite increase, which is bad news for businesses in a variety of ways. Most cases heard by the High Court were civil, taken out by companies against former employees who had stolen company data.
The average cost of such cases is lb30,000, according to reports, not including the value of the stolen data. This is difficult to put a price on, due to the wide ranging implications of data being taken, both financial and other, business wide consequences. It is also virtually impossible to retrieve such data once it has been taken.
The ease of use and availability of cloud storage services, such as Dropbox, has been cited as a major factor in increased levels of data theft. Disgruntled or unhappy employees are able to transfer huge amounts of data quickly, with ease and very little preparation. Others have pointed to the increase in the number of people working remotely, making it somewhat easier to steal data.
In the fantasy world of a Hollywood film, our data thieving hero would nervously be watching the progress bar on the computer as his adversary's footsteps approached. However, the reality is far easier for the data thief. Watching TV at home in their chair, he or she can steal or transfer data with ease, and without being observed, at least physically.
The best way to monitor such breaches is through data leak protection (DLP) systems, in addition to restricting the employees able to access data, either in or out of the office. These systems can monitor even small fragments of data being transferred, as well as file systems, individual files and their movement across pre-defined boundaries. DLP also allows businesses to change such boundaries, making it much more of a challenge for employees to take data. Preventing the use of devices such as USB drives or DVD burners, and filtering web access to cloud storage services, may also help a great deal.
It's not clear whether the increased figures are because of a failure to implement such measures, or rather an increase in their quality, thereby catching more thieves in the act. Data theft remains a problem, however, which needs addressing.
Data, on whatever scale, needs careful protection and supervision, whether employees are office based or otherwise. It seems data theft penalties aren't always working, but keeping employees on side may also help.
It has been suggested that there was a 250% increase when compared to 2010 (45 cases), but this was somewhat of an anomaly, having decreased from 95 cases in 2009. In recent years however, there has be a definite increase, which is bad news for businesses in a variety of ways. Most cases heard by the High Court were civil, taken out by companies against former employees who had stolen company data.
The average cost of such cases is lb30,000, according to reports, not including the value of the stolen data. This is difficult to put a price on, due to the wide ranging implications of data being taken, both financial and other, business wide consequences. It is also virtually impossible to retrieve such data once it has been taken.
The ease of use and availability of cloud storage services, such as Dropbox, has been cited as a major factor in increased levels of data theft. Disgruntled or unhappy employees are able to transfer huge amounts of data quickly, with ease and very little preparation. Others have pointed to the increase in the number of people working remotely, making it somewhat easier to steal data.
In the fantasy world of a Hollywood film, our data thieving hero would nervously be watching the progress bar on the computer as his adversary's footsteps approached. However, the reality is far easier for the data thief. Watching TV at home in their chair, he or she can steal or transfer data with ease, and without being observed, at least physically.
The best way to monitor such breaches is through data leak protection (DLP) systems, in addition to restricting the employees able to access data, either in or out of the office. These systems can monitor even small fragments of data being transferred, as well as file systems, individual files and their movement across pre-defined boundaries. DLP also allows businesses to change such boundaries, making it much more of a challenge for employees to take data. Preventing the use of devices such as USB drives or DVD burners, and filtering web access to cloud storage services, may also help a great deal.
It's not clear whether the increased figures are because of a failure to implement such measures, or rather an increase in their quality, thereby catching more thieves in the act. Data theft remains a problem, however, which needs addressing.
Data, on whatever scale, needs careful protection and supervision, whether employees are office based or otherwise. It seems data theft penalties aren't always working, but keeping employees on side may also help.
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