Cyber technology has created many opportunities for workplace deviance. The first way is through unauthorized access and data theft. Employees with access to sensitive information or systems may misuse their privileges to gain unauthorized access to data for personal gain or criminal purposes. This could involve stealing information, financial data, or intellectual property. The next way is cyberbullying and harassment. Online platforms and social media can be used by employees to engage in cyberbullying and harassment against coworkers, supervisors, or clients. This may include sending threatening or offensive messages and spreading rumors. Another example of workplace deviance using cyber technology is cyber espionage. Cyber technology allows individuals, including employees, to engage in espionage activities. These activities can include monitoring communications, intercepting emails, or planting surveillance software. Employees may do this to gather confidential information about competitors, colleagues, or the organization itself. Also, employees who have insider knowledge of an organization’s systems and operations can pose a significant threat by causing harm through actions such as sabotage, data manipulation, or introducing malware into the network. Next, I will talk about unauthorized software and hardware use. For example, employees may install unauthorized software or use personal devices on company networks without permission. This could potentially lead to exposing the organization to security vulnerabilities or compliance risks. Another less harmful way, in my opinion, is time theft. Using cyber technology in the workplace can lead to employees wasting company time on non-work-related things such as browsing social media, shopping online, or watching videos. This can decrease productivity and affect overall work performance. Finally, I will discuss technology-enabled fraud. Cyber technology provides opportunities for employees to commit fraud, such as submitting false expense claims, manipulating financial records, or diverting funds electronically. Overall, technology can be very helpful in the workplace, but can also cause an entirely new set of issues.

Jones, J. (2023, November 21). Employee cybercrime and deviance: A loss prevention psychology perspective. Loss Prevention Media. https://losspreventionmedia.com/employee-cybercrime-and-deviance-a-loss-prevention-psychology-perspective