HP executive stole trade secrets

If you work for a company that gives you access to sensitive information, including trade secrets that cannot be disclosed, take it seriously, very seriously. It turns out that Atul Malhotra failed to take this smart and prudent route, and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Malhotra, 42, of Santa Barbara, CA, used to work for IBM. Then he went to Hewlett-Packard Co., as a vice president, and decided to make a big impression by sharing some of his old employer's trade secrets with his new company. According to court records, Malhotra emailed confidential IBM information to two senior vice presidents at HP regarding "calibration metrics." HP terminated their new hire after only four months on the job, saying his conduct was a clear violation of company policy. They also contacted the authorities. Malhotra was subsequently indicted, pleaded guilty last week to stealing trade secrets from IBM, and now faces a very unhappy future.

For more on this violation:
- see this Computerworld.com article