Tips on Protecting Trade Secrets
In order to qualify for protection under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act in California, trade secrets must be the subject of reasonable measures to maintain secrecy. To avoid confusion on whether your company’s information qualifies for protection, make sure your company puts the proper steps into play to protect that information.
Here are several tips on protecting trade secrets that companies can do:
- Employees sign confidentiality agreements
- Third parties sign NDAs (non disclosure agreements)
- Policy is documented and distributed that addresses how to handle trade secrets
- Prohibit misappropriation
- New employees are properly briefed and trained regarding confidential information
- Documents are properly marked to identify their level of protection
- Information tracking systems are in place
- Proper disposal of information
- Encourage reporting of misappropriation
- Areas that store confidential information are locked and protected
- Security cameras are in place
- Visitors are monitored
- Departing employees are provided with signed agreements and provisions are reviewed
- Departing employees have no access to facilities and systems
- Investigate any misappropriation
