The Fired Developer’s "Kill Switch": Why Offboarding is Your Strongest Defense
A former developer at Eaton Corp was recently convicted for embedding a "deadman’s switch" that sabotaged systems immediately after his termination. For SMB leaders, this case is a stark reminder that cyber defense isn't just about blocking external hackers; it is equally about robust, immediate, and automated offboarding of internal access.
• The Inside Threat is Often the Greatest Risk: Unlike an external breach, a disgruntled employee already has the keys to the kingdom. In this case, the developer spent months writing malicious code—specifically named "Is Davis Lu Enabled in Active Directory"—to delete files and lock users out if his status ever flipped to "no."
• Automation is Your Shield: Manual offboarding processes are prone to human error and delays. If your systems are integrated and automated, you reduce the window of opportunity for "parting gifts." However, as this case shows, you must also monitor for unauthorized changes to system logic before the depar…
