Retail department stores place security sensors at each exit that stop thieves from shoplifting valuable merchandise.<\/p>\n
Businesses implement security procedures designed to prevent the theft of their trade secrets.\u00a0 The problem is that trade secrets are ideas.\u00a0 Ideas can be stolen in more ways than physically carrying paper out of the exit.<\/p>\n
This is why savvy businesses take steps to prevent employees from using new means to steal trade secrets.\u00a0 IT departments block employees\u2019 ability to use Dropbox on work computers; the ability to send emails from work e-mail accounts to personal e-mail accounts (Gmail, etc\u2026); and the ability to download files from work computers to flash drives.\u00a0 Once done, these exit doors are closed.<\/p>\n
But the doors are multiplying.\u00a0 Employees carry cell phones with built in cameras.\u00a0 They can now take pictures of blueprints, written formulas, customer lists and products under development, then secretly walk out the door with those pictures.\u00a0\u00a0 Employees don\u2019t have to use their e-mail accounts to send instant, written communications to outsiders.\u00a0 They now have the ability to send private messages on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.\u00a0 There is even an app, Snapchat, that is purposefully designed for sending text messages, photographs and videos that will automatically delete once viewed by the recipient.\u00a0 It\u2019s Mission Impossible technology on a phone.<\/p>\n
The doors keep multiplying.<\/p>\n