Protecting electronic information — Missouri

In this electronic age, employers rely more and more on creating, using and storing electronic information, from electronic personnel files to electronic sales and distribution systems to the paperless office. Such greater reliance on electronic data creates additional security concerns for the proactive employer. Missouri and federal laws provide employers with several tools to combat employees and former employees who, unfortunately, might attempt to improperly access, acquire, otherwise tamper with or damage the employer’s electronic files and equipment.

Legality of tampering with computer data, equipment or users

Tampering with computer data

Since 2002, Missouri’s criminal statutes have forbidden the individuals from tampering with computer data. Specifically, an individual can commit the crime of tampering with computer data if he knowingly and without authorization or without reasonable grounds to believe that he has such authorization:

• modifies or destroys data or programs residing or existing in a computer, computer system or computer network

• modifies or destroys data or programs (or supporting documentation) residing or existing external to a computer, computer system or computer network

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