Protecting your business data when a staff member leaves
Part 2.
See part 1 here
Staff leave businesses for all sorts of reasons, sometimes it’s amicable and other times not so much, when this happens you need to have a plan for how you are going to protect the business data to which they had access.
There are really two separate considerations here, the first is ‘How do we stop the ex. staff member from accessing our live data?’
This is a process that you are no doubt already familiar with, this is the bit where we disable user accounts, change passwords, revoke building pass cards and collect laptops and other devices from the soon-to-be ex. staff member. This is the obvious stuff and it is an important step but it doesn’t take in to account at least one very important consideration.
It is very common for staff to use their own personal devices to access company data and this has become far more prevalent in the new working-from-home world we live in today.
How do we secure business data left behind on personal devices?
When a user’s account is disabled or deleted any data that they may have had synchronized on their own personal device (email on a mobile phone for example) will remain, at present there is no way to force the removal of that data which means that an ex. staff member who was using their own computer to work-from-home probably has copies of your business data on it.
Without an enforceable technological way to remove this data you must rely on policy, process and trust to deal with this situation.
Your company policies should state that upon termination of employment the person is required to destroy company data in their possession on their personal devices.
Your procedures should support this policy, when a staff member leaves you should have your I.T. department inspect any personal computers and devices which were used by that employee.
Of course all of this relies on trust, you need to have faith that your polices and procedures will be followed and that the ex. staff member will be cooperative.
If you don’t want to rely on policies, procedures and trust there is one other option – change your policies and have your I.T. department enforce them to only allow access to company data from company owned equipment, then all you have to do when an employee becomes an ex. employee is make sure you get the equipment back.
Our Services
Managed IT Support
Our fixed price Managed IT Support Programs will increase your businesses competitiveness and efficiency with our I.T. Professionals on call for you 24/7.
Same Day On-Site Support
Class leading response times ensure your that when things do go wrong we’ll be there in a hurry so you can get on with doing what your business does best.
Security and Data Protection
Custom designed security and data backup systems protect your business from emerging threats and gives you peace of mind.
Hardware and Software
We supply, install and maintain hardware and software from all major vendors including Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, IBM, Intel and Dell all with our 30 day reconfiguration guarantee.
Testimonials
We would recommend you to anyone, anytime.
Thank you all so very, very much for all your support. Not to mention bringing back my files to my Company. I cannot thank you guys enough.
Thanks again.
Leigh
Our previous I.T. Service Provider was distant, hard to contact and not customer focused. With Australia Wide I.T. we now have great service with a human touch. Our calls are answered promptly and the team is always ready to help in any way.
The maintenance program put in place by AWIT offers us peace of mind that our entire system is correctly and closely monitored.
Monica
Very much appreciate your very quick response today. It was pay day today and I was a bit worried (that we wouldn’t be able to process the pays) but because of you all is well, so a big thanks.
Dale
The team at AWIT deliver nothing but breathtaking service!!!!
Brett
Thanks for all your help today. Your patience & tenacity for solving the problem is greatly appreciated.
Jacinta
All good as usual, keep up the professional service.
Diana
They’ve gotten to know our business so well and they’re truly interested in helping us. It’s like having our own I.T. Department in-house. Australia Wide I.T. takes a personal interest in our team, our business and where we’re going. They’re like family.
Other I.T. companies just didn’t seem to have the same depth of knowledge as these guys. Rather than blame the user (us) they go the extra mile, locate the problem and fix it – Every time!
Coral
A very big thank you from me to all of the guys there….You make things so easy for us and are always available to help.
A massive shout out to the Nash though for fixing our printer – you nailed it Nash and not only changed MY life, but also helped to save some trees in the Amazon Forest!
Thanks to you all.
Jo
Your work last week was amazing. You couldn’t have been more supportive or expert in your conduct. I am very grateful and am amazed at your generous invoicing of last week’s work. I can only repay you by recommending you to as many people as possible.
Thank you. It is refreshing to know that when a problem occurs, you are always there – with great service.
Keran
My business has grown from 3 stores to 5 stores over the last 3 years; one of the unfortunate consequences of this has been the fact that our old server and network could not cope with the growth. After much deliberation we chose Australia Wide I.T. to not only arrange the supply and installation of our new network, but to also provide long term support. We have been very pleased with our decision and would happily recommend them.
Bruce