When Sensitive IT Information Crosses Borders

The seizure of information-bearing devices at the US border generates ethical challenges for organizations and their employees as well as government agencies and their employees. Organizations and government agencies can reduce the problems associated with these seizures by following specific policies and procedures. On one hand, agencies enforcing policies that might involve legal but proprietary information should be open about their policies and their effectiveness, but on the other, organizations should take care to protect their sensitive information and to not put their employees in difficult no-win situations when traveling outside the country.