Journal #6: How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?

 Through the advancement and expansion of cyber technology, many opportunities for workplace deviance have been created. Never has it been easier to access information online, and when you have the credentials to access other people’s data, the possibilities for deviance become endless. The first example of workplace deviance we will touch on, is Data theft. As prior mentioned, employees now have the ability to exploit certain system vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data. Depending on the organization that they’re working for, they can gain access to financial records, IP’s (intellectual property), and even more. While on the topic of finances, another important concern is the use of cyber technology to commit fraud or other financial crimes. Employees can exploit customers, third-party entities and even their own colleagues through phishing scams, identity theft or embezzlement utilizing their own companies cyber tools or from the knowledge gained from working there. Employees can use company owned devices and their own private servers to browse inappropriate websites, stream pirated content or even play video games. Another concern is disgruntled employees and their access to sensitive information. I learned through my annual Cyber Awareness training, while serving in the US Navy, that it is important to keep a vigilant eye on those who seem distressed or repeatedly express disdain towards their organization, bosses or even their country. They are usually, but not always, the main culprit of internal cyber crimes that can even lead to espionage. They pose an even more significant threat to organizations due to their insider knowledge and their access to certain privileges to penetrate a system and conduct sabotage by selling or trading secrets to competitors or even hostile foreign entities.  The last point to touch on is the potential for cyberbullying and harassment. The technology in these organizations have opened new pathways for employees to conceal their identity and cause online harm to others. Using their own private networks or by creating multiple anonymous accounts, they can harass multiple people at once while not being caught. Overall, the usage of cyber technology has been a major technological advancement that is a net positive for society, but the risks must not be ignored and can only be mitigated through consistent training and implementation of proper risk management.

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