IT security during the financial recession

A sad fact when a company has to ask people to leave is that many times important information goes out the door the same time. It is only natural that people that loose their jobs gets frustrated and many times angry and blames everything on the company. When they leave, they leave in anger and take customer lists, software and other "secret " information with them. To ask someone to leave is often hard and it is even worse to be on the other side. The situation does not create an environment for dialogue but it is still important to inform employees about the rules for stealing data and assets from the company.
It is essential to have routines for access for ex-employees and procedures to follow as many companies has several different systems for access. Make sure that there is someone that is responsible for discounting access rather then having separate departments handling it. Make a register of all different types of access (SSL-VPN, Internal systems, Mobile Access, IPSEC...etc etc..and next type buy a system that handles all types of access..).
I often get the question if I to do not trust people and my answer is that I do. I just want to be able to present to my customers different alternatives so they can make the decisions. After all they are the ones who knows their employees the best. Most company I work with really hate to be in a situation where they have to ask people to leave and they try to do their best but the financial crisis gives them no choice. I know that most people understand this but their are rotten eggs out there and unfortunately we need to make sure that they do not make any damage.