In 2023, Tesla disclosed that it suffered a major data breach instigated by two former employees who leaked sensitive information to a foreign news agency. According to the company, they included names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers of about 75 thousand employees (and former employees). Not only that, they exposed customer bank details, some production secrets and critical comments about the company’s Self-Driving functionality. 

In May 2022, Qian Sang, a former Yahoo researcher, allegedly downloaded approximately 570,000 pages of intellectual property upon accepting a job offer from The Trade Desk. The tech company swiftly responded with a cease and desist letter upon discovering what happened, subsequently filing legal complaints for the theft of trade secrets.

In 2020, during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Christopher Dobbins, a recently laid-off employee of Stradis Healthcare in Georgia, retaliated by using a covert account to access and delete critical data from the company’s dispatch system. This malicious act delayed the delivery of personal safety equipment to frontline health workers.

These incidents are prominent examples of the substantial security risks that companies face, risks that endanger personal and physical safety both at work and beyond. What measures can be implemented to prevent such grave security breaches in the future?

Analyzing the Workforce as a Starting Point

Analyzing managers, employees and their interactions as a cornerstone of freedom and a ‘healthy’ work environment is essential. A focus on the workforce, increasingly dominated by Millennials and Gen Z—who will constitute approximately 60% of the global workforce by 2030— is crucial. These groups are notably more receptive to entrepreneurial innovations.

Workforce analytics involves collecting employee data, analyzing this information, and leveraging it to optimize business decisions and achieve goals. It’s crucial to consider not just internal dynamics but also remote and hybrid work modalities. Such comprehensive analytics help in identifying trends and pinpointing anomalies effectively. 

While the surge in technology adoption within companies aids in monitoring potential crisis triggers, it also complicates the landscape, particularly as not all employers have instituted programs to undertake such proactive security measures.

Monitoring is Not the Same as Surveillance

The complexity of workplace oversight arises not only from costs but also from the challenge of distinguishing between monitoring and surveillance. While often perceived as synonymous, these concepts are fundamentally different.

Monitoring involves authorized, consensus-based supervision of the workforce—a transparent, well-structured, and trust-based approach. In contrast, surveillance occurs without declaration and typically without employee consent, significantly lacking in transparency.

This distinction is crucial as improper surveillance can erode trust and contribute to an unhealthy work environment. Conversely, when implemented and managed correctly, monitoring can support and even benefit the workforce.

According to a recent LinkedIn article, the monitoring software market is predicted to undergo exceptional growth from 2023 to 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. This anticipated surge in market value is expected to draw significant interest from investors and industry stakeholders.

When the Employee Feels Safe, the Company Benefits

Detecting abnormal or negative behavior is key to employee retention, optimizing the workplace, and fostering a healthy, positive environment. By preventing and addressing internal wrongdoing, workplace monitoring helps protect the most vulnerable and honest employees. This approach helps avoid retaliation, bias, harassment, and discontent through secure protection of personal information and limited exposure.

Internal data from behavioral alerts enable employers to conduct thorough assessments. Algorithms facilitate anonymous evaluations, ensuring that feedback is secure, proactive, and rich with insights for improving the workplace.

Monitoring serves as a means for employees to share concerns with management and seek assistance during challenging times. When managed effectively, it fosters a consensus network that is vital for any organization.

Nonetheless, recent research indicates that 44% of employees are unaware of workplace monitoring practices. Additionally, one in five bosses prefer not to disclose the use of monitoring software. Despite this, over 90% of employees are open to monitoring, albeit with concerns about proper usage by employers. And they may be right, since only 30% of executives at companies utilizing workforce data assert that they manage it responsibly and securely.

As global demand for monitoring grows, it’s crucial that managers, employers, and business leaders distinguish between monitoring and surveillance to maintain a prosperous and peaceful work environment.