Each year, U.S. businesses lose billions of dollars to trade secret theft, according to government reports. Despite growing awareness, the numbers continue to rise, raising an important question:
Why aren’t more businesses taking proactive steps to protect their intellectual property?
For many, it comes down to misplaced confidence (“It won’t happen to us”) or the belief that implementing an IP protection program is too complex, expensive, or disruptive to daily operations. But in reality, building an effective strategy doesn’t have to be time-consuming or burdensome, it just requires focused leadership from the top.
The Problem: You Don’t See It Happen
One of the reasons IP theft goes unnoticed is because, unlike physical theft, there are no obvious signs. If you walk outside and your car is gone, it’s clear you’ve been robbed. But when critical business information is copied, you don’t see it leave, and you may not notice it’s missing until months later.
Your data doesn’t have to be removed to be stolen. It’s replicated silently, often by the very people you trust most: your employees.
That’s not just a theory, it’s backed by data. A 2020 study found that over 60% of employees take company data when they leave. From our own investigative experience, the real number is closer to 70% in cases where no preventative measures are in place.
Trusted Insiders Are Often the Biggest Risk
Some of the most damaging thefts involve key employees or senior insiders, those considering new job opportunities or planning to launch a competing venture. These individuals know what’s valuable, and more importantly, they know how and where to monetize it.
What do they take? Common targets include:
- Customer lists and contact details
- Pricing models and margin data
- Product designs, engineering specs, and R&D
- Internal processes and operational efficiencies
- Strategic plans and market positioning
- The cumulative know-how that defines your business
Once that information is in the hands of a competitor, the consequences are immediate: lost deals, shrinking margins, and erosion of market share.
The Solution: Proactive, Not Reactive
IP theft isn’t inevitable. With the right protections in place, much of this risk is preventable. That starts with clear policies, employee education, technical monitoring, and perhaps most importantly, senior leadership buy-in.
Don’t wait until you’re facing litigation or watching your market share disappear. Prevention is always more effective, and more affordable, than recovery.
About Swailes Computer Forensics
Swailes Computer Forensics provides expert digital forensic services to law firms, corporations, and organizations nationwide. Our work includes investigations into intellectual property theft, employee misconduct, data breaches, and more. With decades of experience and a commitment to integrity and clarity, we help clients uncover critical evidence and take informed action.
If you’re facing a potential case of employee data theft or have concerns about unauthorized activity, contact us for a confidential consultation.