When Does IP Actually Leave?
The forensic pattern is remarkably consistent: exfiltration clusters in the fortnight before resignation is tendered: mass downloads to personal storage, forwarding sprees to private email, cloud sync of repositories and photographed screens where controls block copying. The employee is building a dowry for the next employer or their own venture; the activity logs record every step, if anyone looks.
What Should Trigger a Forensic Look?
Investigate before the exit interview when you see:
- Resignation to a direct competitor from a role with crown-jewel access
- Unusual download, printing or after-hours access volumes in recent weeks
- Personal devices or storage suddenly appearing in the workflow
- A team following a departed manager to the same destination
- Clients reporting approaches that quote your unpublished pricing or plans
What Makes the Case Stick?
Forensically preserved evidence: device images taken under chain of custody, access and transfer logs, and analysis connecting the taken material to its use, the injunction application that succeeds attaches exhibits, not allegations. Move fast: courts weigh urgency, and evidence on personal devices erodes daily. Garuda's forensic team handles acquisition through expert testimony.