In June 2020, a knife attack at a kindergarten in China injured 39 people, many of them children. The perpetrator was a security guard at the school. This was an insider attack and a horrific act that happens far too often across the world. While the majority of the cybersecurity industry is focused on securing data, the growing convergence of digital and physical security remains unhinged.

The world has seen more unprecedented events in the first six months of 2020 than some see in a lifetime. From a pandemic threatening the health and lives of people worldwide and triggering unprecedented social isolation to recent devastating events catalyzing global civil unrest, this year almost feels apocalyptic. As always, in times of disruption and uncertainty, vulnerabilities are exposed, and opportunities are opened for the selfish few to capitalize on others’ misfortune.

Every organization needs to keep tabs on other players in the industry in order to stay competitive. It’s common for an organization to analyze a competitor’s website, perform secret shopping trips, and monitor a competitor’s marketing strategies. This type of competitive research is perfectly legal. But if an organization unlawfully obtains another company’s sensitive information, it is considered industrial espionage, which is illegal.

In the fast-paced and highly commercialized world of manufacturing, better automation creates a valuable competitive edge. The physical systems leveraged in the industry, the machinery, and the manual processes have all become more automated since the first industrial revolution. Today, smart systems that leverage advanced technologies such as machine learning and integrated IoT control are creating a next-generation industrial environment often termed 4.0.

Data security is a term we’re all pretty used to hearing by now, but cybercriminals are only one part of the equation. Did you know that internal employees can also pose a threat to your business? Insider threats are caused by internal staff, employees, or partners who either wish to cause the company harm - or who simply compromise your organization’s data security through carelessness or lack of training.

In April 2016, European legislators passed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and announced that it would become enforceable in May 2018. With less than 24 months to get their acts together and avoid hefty fines, organizations scrambled to prepare for compliance. Data breaches have unfortunately become the norm over recent years, and the legislation was formed to better regulate and hold these companies accountable for protecting individual privacy rights.

The world has been moving toward a fully connected workplace model for years, even prior to COVID-19. Now, understanding your company’s digital presence - and footprint - is more important than ever. Everything you or your employees do online could have lasting consequences for you, your employees, and your brand. Digital forensics provides you with a concrete, analytical way to investigate personnel claims and provide the necessary evidence to properly assess internal issues.

Cyber crimes involving Insider Threats are on the rise. Every company needs to know how to investigate these serious offenses and keep their business safe. Here’s what you need to know about conducting a cyber crime investigation into Insider Threats.

While the real world of forensics is much different from your favorite primetime drama, it’s becoming an increasingly important field for the digital sphere. Cybercriminals leave a trace just like real-world offenders, so it’s important to use digital forensic tools that can identify, address, and resolve potentially fraudulent or harmful activities. Keep reading to learn more about digital forensics, and the tools your company needs to stay protected.

If you are even considering investigating an employee or monitoring employees in general, consider modern computer forensic tools for a complete solution. Computer forensic tools allow an employer to gather digital evidence before confronting an employee. With the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, these types of solutions can also help to monitor employees that are self-quarantined or voluntarily working from home.