Trade secret and intellectual property lawsuits can be a lengthy and expensive but necessary prospect for any tech company looking to protect its assets. But for tech startups that may not have the budget to sustain litigation if they suspect an ex-employee took company trade secrets, filing those suits likely isn't an option.

However, there are steps startups can take to protect their trade secrets. Such front-end precautions include adding nondisclosures, monitoring personal devices used for work, and defining ownership rights in work agreements. Taking these pre-emptive actions could help startups avoid a costly courtroom battle.

“You can't ultimately prevent someone from doing bad things, but you can put yourself in the best position,” said San Francisco-based DLA Piper partner Margaret Keane. She noted that while trade secret theft has always been an issue, today's technology allows employees to more easily take information from one company to the next.