Up to 40% of firms fire employees for cyber crimes

UP to 40% of companies have fired employees for cyber crime, a survey involving gardaí revealed yesterday.

Companies had experienced asset theft (63%), the leaking of confidential details (46%), organisational identity theft (17%) as well as financial fraud (39%). Nearly all had been victims of computer viruses.

The University College Dublin project revealed millions of euro are being spent to protect companies against computer crimes. Major incidents cost over half those surveyed in excess of €25,000. In a fifth of cases, criminal computer activities cost over €100,000.