For the past several years, energy companies have been increasingly turning to technology solutions. Investor pressure to decarbonize and the recognition that technology can increase efficiency and cut costs have helped fuel this transformative change. In 2023, that trend will only accelerate, as the Inflation Reduction Act's provision of nearly $370 billion in incentives to promote clean technologies offers even more reasons to innovate.

As energy companies develop and use new technologies, it is critical that they maintain a laser focus on protecting their most valuable information. A company's business information is a "trade secret" if it has commercial value derived from the fact that it remains secret. A wide range of information can qualify as trade secrets, from engineering documents about your proprietary technological developments to financial information and customer lists.

If your trade secret information falls into the hands of a competitor, your company could suffer significant damage. These risks are only magnified by the increased mobility of workers, who are increasingly accessing information away from the office, as well as moving between companies more frequently.