More than half - 59 per cent - of US workers made redundant or who left their job last year admitted swiping confidential corporate data, such as customer list, before they left, a new study claims.

A web-based survey of 1,000 workers who lost or walked out of their jobs in 2008 by the Ponemon Institute and Symantec found the most commonly purloined records taken included email lists, employee records, and customer information (such as contact lists).

Half of those who swiped data (53 per cent) burnt the information onto a CD or DVD, 42 per cent used a USB drive and 38 per cent emailed information to a personal email account. Some obviously used more than one technique which Symantec points out could be thwarted with adequate data leakage prevention controls, such as those supplied by Symantec, it doubtless wants us to consider.

One in four (24 per cent) had access to their employer's computer systems after they upped sticks and changed jobs.

"The survey's findings should sound the alarm across all industries: your sensitive data is walking out the door with your employees," said Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute. "Even if layoffs are not imminent, companies need to be more aware of who has access to sensitive business information. Our research suggests that a great deal of data loss is preventable through the use of clear policies, better communication with employees, and adequate controls on data access." ®

Related stories

• UK data breach incidents on the rise (9 July 2009)
• UK agent leaves secret drugs info on bus (27 April 2009)
• Lost laptops cost companies $50k apiece (23 April 2009)
• Data Protection Act 'is not enforced' (5 March 2009)
• McAfee snaps up data loss prevention firm (1 August 2008)
• Sophos bids €217m for data loss firm (28 July 2008)
• Culture of insecurity blamed for HMRC data loss (25 June 2008)
• US firms use own staff to snoop on co-workers (23 May 2008)
• Quocirca's changing channels Banks need to learn to keep their own data safe (1 February 2008)