It happens — employees leave. Sometimes they find growth opportunities and are encouraged, even cheered, by their employers to go for it. Other times, they are let go due to downsizing or performance issues, recruited by rivals or otherwise lured to greener pastures. In all scenarios, the employer’s intellectual property (IP) is at risk.

Revenge, greed and resentment are the main factors that motivate outgoing employees to commit IP theft. That’s why it’s important to have an exit process when a worker departs from your company — one that can be accelerated if that employee is departing for cause.