When Suspicious Employee Behaviour Becomes a Security Investigation

Determining when employee behaviour warrants formal investigation requires balancing security concerns with fairness and legal considerations.

Technical signals

Unusual data access patterns, after-hours activity on sensitive systems, attempts to bypass access controls, and use of unauthorised storage devices may indicate security concerns.

Contextual factors

Role changes, known departure dates, disciplinary proceedings, and access to particularly sensitive data provide context for interpreting technical signals.

Investigation principles

Preserve evidence before confrontation. Document observations objectively. Seek appropriate expertise before taking irreversible actions.