How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?
Cyber technology opens up a variety of opportunities for workplace deviance. Through the protection of data with these defense mechanisms and security controls, like the different methods of access control, some employees may have or obtain access to sensitive data. These employees that have the privilege of accessing this data now have the opportunity to use this data in an unethical or illegal manner. They may use this sensitive information, information that is not known to the public and would otherwise be unfair to utilize, for personal monetary gain. This act is formally known as insider training, and it will very likely lead to fines or time in federal prison. Another potential misuse of sensitive data by employees involves the theft of works that are the product of creativity, formally known as intellectual property theft. Designing or manufacturing a product that solves a problem for people, while also being unique to the company who came up with it, is important for dominating a specific market. If the plans for this innovation are stolen and exploited for personal use or even for the use of a competitor, the company is put in a tricky situation. The company will lose money, lose reputation, lose employees, lose their edge in the market, etc., and the perpetrator, if caught, will very likely be fined, charged, or be put in federal prison. Both of the above are what I consider to be some of the most severe cases of workplace deviancy that could arise from cyber technology. A more minor case could be when an employee uses the technology offered by the company, that they are supposed to use only to do their job, for personal use. This could be pretty much anything, like something as simple as browsing the internet. This is formally known as cyberloafing and is probably one of the most common forms of workplace deviance that relates to cyber technology. The emergence and advancement of cyber technology has provided a variety of opportunities for workplace deviance.