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JUNE 2, 2000


Keeping a Lid on Company Secrets

Steps you can take to prevent rivals from learning your plans

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To win a lawsuit involving theft of corporate secrets, a company has to prove that it took "reasonable measures" to protect the information. Here are some things you can do to protect trade secrets and other proprietary information:

Inventory your trade secrets, and label them accordingly.

Make sure employees know what is and isn't a trade secret.

Do background checks on new hires, and require all employees to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Put restrictions on temp workers' access to computers, faxes, and copy machines.

Limit what your telecommuters can download to their home computers.

Build firewalls or encryption into computer systems. Change passwords frequently.

Use screen protectors on laptops in public places so your work can't easily be viewed by others.

Be cautious about allowing visitors access to your office and production line.

Limit your drinking at conventions and trade shows. It was true then, and it's true today: Loose lips sink ships.



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