Project Materials

LEAKAGES OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATION: CAUSES AND EFFECTS

ABSTRACT

Any disclosure, whether intentional or unintentional, of sensitive information is considered a leakage of that information. A record, on the other hand, is a written document that serves to preserve evidence or information and provides an official account of what has happened. Now that we know what the crucial phrases signify, we can see that exposure of official records is at the heart of sensitive information leaks. In light of the above, we identify the following as potential causes and repercussions of confidential information leaks: the possibility that official records may be disclosed to the public or the wrong hands, resulting in the degradation of the information contained therein. And the publication of sensitive company information could have disastrous consequences for a company’s operations, leading to the downfall of the enterprise as a whole due to fraud and imitative practices. Consequently, we should investigate our company organisations to identify the person or people responsible for this disturbing tendency.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study 

If certain criteria are followed, the voyage of a document, as stated by Njoku (2005), might be described as easy, even though it is not.

Businesses and legal firms have yet to find a solution to the problem of secret information leaks and the damage they do. However, for some effective organisations, the problem areas are the vents and channels via which these problems become disorganised. This is because unauthorised individuals gain access to sensitive data or files.

Things that are of utmost importance to businesses and their officials are considered confidential. Additionally, they may include the more personal details of office operations, which are really the backbone of any company. Additionally, it is crucial that it remain out of the public eye due to its significance.

When sensitive information is leaked, it means that someone who shouldn’t have access to it has learnt about it or gained access to it without authorisation. The organisation would suffer tremendous harm in the event of a data breach due to improper management. This is according to Ihekwoaba (2005).

Businesses can be publicly or privately held and are groups of people who have come together to engage in commercial activities with the goal of producing a profit. Since “maxim” dictates that “business is secret,” it stands to reason that the organization’s most sensitive matters, including official ones, should remain hidden.

I will do my best to elaborate on a few of the many causes and impacts that have been identified as a result of secret information leaks. Keep sensitive information out of the hands of everyone in the company.

This is because they play a significant role in the decisions and activities taken by management. Those with access to sensitive information are the ones responsible for its release.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Public and private sector businesses alike have long worried about the possibility of, and response to, data breaches. The realisation that those crucial pieces of the organization’s puzzle fall into disarray among some of the directors and managers is shocking to them.

Managers, secretaries, clerks, typists, and other lower-level employees are sometimes held accountable for the dissemination of sensitive company information.

The people responsible for this crime have been very tenacious in coming up with new ways to get their hands on official matters. The overarching goal of this research is to identify the most effective means of preventing the leak of sensitive government information.

1.3 The Purpose Of The Study

Determining the origins and impacts of private information leaks in corporate organisations was the primary goal of this study. The study’s specific goals are to

Find out what official secrets are.

Determine which employees are liable for the leaks.

Locate the formal secret-keeping entities within corporate entities

Find out what happens when companies’ secret information gets out.

Assess methods for managing and safeguarding sensitive data.

Suggest solutions

1.4 The Objectives of the Study

In order to define “official secret,”

1. How can we find out where corporate-secret information comes from?

2. In order to establish what kinds of sensitive data should be kept under wraps?

3. When it comes to finding out who is to blame for the disclosure of sensitive data?

4. In order to ascertain the repercussions of data breaches in corporate entities?

5. In order to find solutions?

1.5 Research Questions 

Could you please explain what an official secret is?

In corporate settings, how can you trace the origins of confidential information?

What are some ways to control and protect sensitive information?

When sensitive information is leaked, who is to blame?

In the corporate world, what happens when sensitive information gets out?

How can this be fixed?

1.6 The significance Of The Study

Due to the importance of this task, it is necessary to highlight the consequences that businesses face when sensitive information is leaked. Organisations have invested vast amounts of resources (money) throughout the years in the vain goal of safeguarding strategically essential data.

Efforts have been undertaken to educate employees, secure data at repose, and stop outsiders from selling into organisations. The majority of leaks, say analysts, occur when internal and external partners and workers inadvertently disclose sensitive information. According to the pneumonic institution, the average cost to an organisation for information leakage is around N182 per record.

Organisations, their market presence, and their competitive advantages can be severely impacted by the high cost of a breach, which can lead to customer loss, damage to the brand and reputation, and a general decline in performance.

There are a lot of security-related factors to think about as organisations spend millions on business systems, boosting the availability of information to gain or keep a competitive advantage in that area.

1.7 The Scope of the Study

The reasons and consequences of private information leaks in corporate organisations are the only focus of this research. Three different companies in Owerri, Imo State, were the focus of the research. Among these groups are NITEL, the Nigerian Bottling Company (coca-cola), and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

1.8 The Limitations of the Study

This study’s execution revealed several unit actions that operate as limiting forces, such as the ones listed below.

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money to pay for most of the interview and observation costs.

Some of the company’s executives and secretaries have restrictions that make them hesitant to provide information openly.

The research work was also badly impacted by the lack of time.