PROMPT: How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?

Though there has always been mischief in the workplace, the dawn of the information age, the creation of modern computers, and advances in cyber technologies have provided more opportunities for workplace deviance. The definition of deviance is as follows, “the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior.” (Oxford). Cyber technologies within the workplace have greatly improved efficiency, communication, and overall productivity. Instant global connection has brought business and industry more close than ever before, understandably, there have been some drawbacks. There is always the chance that an employee could deviate from proper policy, company standards, or commit crimes while at work. Harmless forms of digital deviance include using the internet for games, social media, or other personal use while work should be getting done. More devastating deviant behavior, however, would be a logic bomb. For example, improper policy on data access has been implemented at a company, resulting in all employees have access to critical information. A disgruntled employee adds malicious software or reconfigures a system settings that can alter, publish, or destroy data within a network. Usually, the logic bomb is implemented before the employee’s termination, and executed after the employee has left the company. Compounding on the fact the data has been destroyed, a wise enough coder or computer wizard can “leave no trace”. Anonymity is a feature of the digital age. Employees under the guise of alter egos can sell critical data from within the company, create backdoors for other malicious actors, or install malicious software on systems, as stated previously with the logic bomb. Through cyber technologies, there has been great efficiency as well as connectivity, but has also resulted in new forms of deviance within the workplace.