Information Theft and Theft of Proprietary Information

Employees pose a real risk in this area. Information can now be stolen using a variety of mechanisms including:

·         Hard copy printed reports;

·         Data files e-mailed to private mail boxes across the Internet from corporate systems;

·         The use of high volume data devices such as disks, tapes or memory sticks;

·         The use of commercially available compression software to reduce the size of the file.

Methods that prevent such activities include:

·         Monitoring print queues to identify very large print runs;

·         Introducing software which prevents data which has been copied to a removable storage device from being read by computers outside the organisation;

·         Having a policy and mechanism to use a centralised Internet gateway. This gateway will only allow access to trusted computers and e-mail addresses;

·         Monitoring call logging systems to identify high volume traffic and access to unauthorised sites.

Hackers use a number of different techniques to gather information to penetrate systems and networks.