Protecting What Walks Out the Door

The Critical Shift in Data Security

Every organization faces the inevitable moment when an employee leaves. Whether the departure is planned or unexpected, each exit carries invisible risk: the loss or exposure of sensitive data and intellectual property. In today’s hybrid work world, where company files live across devices, clouds, and collaboration apps, that risk has multiplied exponentially.

Traditional exit interviews and HR checklists are no longer enough. Modern data security requires forensic precision and AI-enhanced visibility to uncover where information went, how it moved, and whether it’s still secure.

Traditional exit interviews and HR checklists are no longer enough. Modern data security requires forensic precision and AI-enhanced visibility to uncover where information went, how it moved, and whether it’s still secure.



IST Management’s Discover-E platform was built for this challenge. By combining advanced AI and machine learning with human forensic expertise, IST helps organizations identify potential data exposure early, investigate efficiently, and preserve legal defensibility all while controlling costs and minimizing disruption.

The Evolving Threat Landscape: Why Data Protection Is More Complex Now

The Explosion of Data

The digital universe is expanding at an unmanageable pace.

• The average employee generates 1.7 MB of data per second, roughly 146 GB per day.
• 90% of the world’s data was created in just the last two years.
• Global data creation is growing at over 30% per year, feeding an endless stream of emails, chats, shared drives, and cloud activity.

What used to be a handful of corporate systems now includes personal devices, Teams and Slack messages, and hidden folders in Dropbox or Google Drive. The more places data lives, the harder it becomes to secure when someone walks out the door.

The Cloud and the Question of Control

Over 60% of corporate data now resides in cloud environments, a figure expected to rise to 80% by 2028. While the cloud enables flexibility, it also decentralizes control. Departing employees often have lingering access to data through synced folders, mobile apps, or third-party integrations.

IST Discover-E unifies that sprawl. Its cloud-based eDiscovery platform consolidates data management and forensic analysis into one secure environment, eliminating the need for fragmented systems or expensive on-premises infrastructure.

The Regulatory Tightrope



Cross-border data regulations are colliding. U.S. discovery laws demand transparency, while E.U. and U.K. data privacy frameworks enforce strict limitations on processing personal information.

IST’s protocols meet those demands head-on with compliance rooted in SOC 2 Type 2 certification, FIPS 140-2 encryption, and EU–U.S. Privacy Shield Framework adherence. For global organizations, this means peace of mind that every step of the process is defensible, documented, and secure.

The New Era of Data Governance: AI and Forensic Intelligence

Where Technology Meets Human Judgment

Artificial intelligence is transforming how organizations manage data risk, but automation alone isn’t enough. Evaluating feasibility, privacy exposure, and proportionality are the “hardest part” of eDiscovery and still require expert human oversight.

As AI tools mature, they’re reshaping the economics of litigation and investigation. Review work that once consumed 64% of total eDiscovery spend in 2024 is projected to drop to 52% by 2029, as automation accelerates analysis and collection. The real opportunity lies in using AI and forensic science together, not just to react to incidents, but to prevent them.

IST’s Employee Departure Protocol

When an employee exits, IST deploys a structured, defensible process to identify, preserve, and analyze all relevant activities. Core deliverables include:

• Internet History Report – Logs browser and network behavior.
• USB Drive Report – Tracks insertion, usage, and file transfer patterns.
• User File Listing & Recycle Bin Reports – Identifies deletions or hidden copies of sensitive materials.
• Installed Application Report – Reveals unauthorized or suspicious programs.

Paired with Sensitive Data Analysis, IST pinpoints potential theft indicators, from cloud storage access (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) to unusual file movements or renaming behaviors. Each step is verified by certified forensic experts to ensure every finding holds up in court.

AI That Sees What Humans Miss

IST’s advanced AI extends far beyond keyword searches.

• AI Image Recognition identifies confidential designs, photos, or schematics even if altered or renamed, an evolution from the technology that recently delivered a 97.5% reduction in image review volume and $385,000 in savings for an IST client.
• AI Text and Sentiment Analysis surfaces tone and intent, revealing potential red flags like malice or concealment.

This fusion of forensic investigation and AI-driven insight turns reactive discovery into proactive risk defense.

The IST Management Differentiator: Security, Expertise, and Predictable Costs

Uncompromising Security

IST’s infrastructure is built for resilience and defensibility.

• SOC 2 Type 2 Certification: Continuous auditing across security, availability, and confidentiality.
• Encryption: SSL-128 in transit and AES-256 at rest on FIPS 140-2 Certified media.
• Data Center Security: Multi-layer authentication, including biometric fingerprint and iris scans.

These safeguards are foundational to IST’s credibility as a trusted legal technology partner.

Expertise You Can Trust

In an industry where high turnover and minimal oversight are common, IST stands apart.

• Project Managers are drawn from Am Law 100 firms, each with 10–14+ years of experience.
• Every client receives dual project management coverage to ensure continuity and responsiveness.
• Teams communicate early, often, and clearly, meaning no ghosting, no guessing, just guidance.

The result is accountability, continuity, and a human touch that technology alone can’t replicate.

Predictable Costs in an Expanding Market

The global eDiscovery market is expected to reach $25.11 billion by 2029, a 10.32% compound annual growth rate. As data volumes surge, so does the cost of mismanagement.

IST’s flexible pricing models keep clients ahead of that curve:

• Tiered and All-In Pricing: Discounts based on data size and predictable flat-rate packages.
• Managed Services Subscriptions: Streamlined partnerships that lower cost per matter over time.
• Built-In AI Analytics: Included at no extra charge, guaranteeing no hidden fees for setup, training, or analytics tools.

In one case, an IST client cut review time by over 50%, simply by centralizing discovery within the IST Discover-E environment.

Proven Results

Real outcomes speak louder than promises:

• IP Theft Investigation: IST’s forensic analysis uncovered USB and cloud drive activity tied to proprietary file access, leading to a successful court order and recovery.
• KMK Law Partnership: Consolidating eDiscovery under IST’s Managed Services model reduced security risks, stabilized costs, and enhanced efficiency across multiple practice areas.
  

Partnering for Strategic Data Governance

Data is now every organization’s most valuable, and vulnerable, asset. As hybrid work, global regulations, and employee mobility reshape the threat landscape, companies need partners who can see the entire picture: technology, compliance, and human behavior.

IST Discover-E delivers complete defense, blending AI precision with human intelligence to protect data before, during, and after employee departures.