Corporate Espionage: Rippling, Deel, Crypto, and a Viral Scandal
The Rippling–Deel corporate espionage incident serves as a critical warning for businesses that underestimate insider threats. A former Rippling employee, Keith O’Brien, was allegedly bribed by Deel’s CEO, Alex Bouaziz, to steal sensitive data, highlighting how insider threats can originate from top management and not just disgruntled employees. The incident underscores the vulnerability of mid-market companies, which often lack robust cybersecurity measures and rely on personal trust. Companies must adopt proactive monitoring strategies, as traditional security systems may not flag non-technical breaches. Understanding and preparing for these risks is essential to maintain business integrity and control.