In recent years, businesses have had to engage in firm competition in order to survive in the market. Competitive battles are not always as successful, and businesses that are having issues may have to start using controversial techniques like layoffs to minimize their costs. This article discusses at great length the problems of dismissal and turnover.
In a webinar entitled "Does Salesforce Security Have You Covered?" Rachel Beard, a Distinguished Security Architect at Salesforce, discussed relevant issues relating to the higher risk of data leaks during layoffs.
What is Layoff?
Layoffs are a common but unfortunate occurrence in today’s business world. As an employee, it is necessary to understand the implications of a layoff and to take significant steps to protect themselves and the company’s security. The process of holding a dismissal meeting is described, along with some potential methods that a business might employ to compensate employees for the compulsory redundancy.
How does Layoff heightens the security risk of your organization?
One uprising issue associated with layoffs is the possible data security leak where people who are to move from one organization to another run the risk of a data breach. Similar practices are used by many other businesses, but there is rising evidence that not enough is being done to stop the growing threat of insider data theft. Layoffs and the prospect of layoffs, populist fury over bailouts and executive bonuses, the conviction held by some workers—accurate or not—that many corporations manipulate the system, and a general decline in ethics have all contributed to a fertile climate for insider data theft.
It should be emphasized that while corporations seeking to minimize costs and suffering market difficulties occasionally use compulsory redundancies, doing so frequently has the potential to be detrimental to the company. It is crucial to demonstrate empathy, regret, and respect for the laid-off employees when implementing compulsory redundancies. Managers should also thoroughly prepare for the dismissal meeting. Benefits for laid-off workers may occasionally be offered, but it is likely that they won't be accessible very often because forced redundancies are typically made when the company is having financial difficulties. However, a company's risk of data theft increases when it is aware of an impending layoff.
Whatever the reason, data theft, also known as data leakage and exfiltration, is one of the risks that might occur when firing personnel. This could result in a corporation losing customers, losing its intellectual property, and having its reputation tarnished.
Although it should go without saying that layoffs increase the risk of data leakage, it is crucial to comprehend the risk mitigation tools available to you and how cyber security controls function to protect the business.