Knowledge base
August 21, 2025
Offboarding – Information Security & Continuity
“Someone out of service? Then the real work begins… “
In many SMBs, digital chaos remains after a colleague leaves: OneDrive links that keep wandering around, files where no one knows who owns them anymore, or Teams mailboxes that are still accessible.
It is precisely during this process – the offboarding of employees – that there is a huge risk of data breaches and loss of continuity. In the Netherlands, companies annually report hundreds of incidents to the Personal Data Authority, often caused by poorly closed accounts or mismanaged files.
At ALTA-ICT, we help SMEs and corporates with a structured offboarding process, aligned with ISO27001 and ISO9001. This way we not only ensure information security, but also business continuity.
In this blog you will discover:
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What exactly offboarding means and why it’s crucial for your business.
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How to implement a secure offboarding process step-by-step.
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The most common mistakes in the Netherlands and how to avoid them.
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The ROI of a tight process – including real-life case studies.
What is offboarding and why essential?
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Definition: Offboarding = the formal closure of all digital and physical access upon an employee’s departure.
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Dutch context: AVG, mandatory data breach notification (72 hours), NEN7510 for healthcare, BIO for government.
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Business impact: risk of data breach, loss of intellectual property, legal liability.
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Competitive advantage: companies with ISO-certified process have demonstrably fewer incidents.
Implementing Offboarding in the Netherlands – Practical Guide (±800w)
Step 1: Analysis & planning
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Inventory: what systems does the employee use?
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Compliance check (AVG, NEN7510).
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ALTA-ICT tooling for access management.
Step 2: Preparation & design
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Define roles and responsibilities (HR, IT, manager).
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Standard script by function.
Step 3: Implementation
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Instant account blocking.
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Reassign ownership of files.
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Monitoring whether “shadow access” remains.
Step 4: Optimization & maintenance
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Regular audits (ISO9001).
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Reporting and lessons learned.
Common mistakes and how ALTA-ICT prevents them
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Only reset password, do not close accounts → access remains.
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No transfer of files → loss of knowledge and chaos.
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No logging → ambiguity in incidents.
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No HR-IT collaboration → gaps in process.
ALTA-ICT solution:
✅ Instant blocking and logging
✅ File ownership redistribution
✅ HR & IT integration
✅ Regular reviews
ROI and cost savings
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On average, a data breach in the Netherlands costs €88,000 (IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2024).
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SMEs working with structured offboarding process save an average of 40% in repair costs.
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Continuity = less downtime = higher customer satisfaction.
ALTA-ICT approach: why we make a difference
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ISO27001, ISO9001, NEN7510 certified.
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Specializing in Dutch market & regulations.
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24/7 support & monitoring.
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Cases: healthcare, government, SMEs.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens to OneDrive files when offboarding?
We ensure that ownership is reassigned.
2. How quickly should access be blocked?
Immediately upon retirement, in accordance with ISO27001.
3. How will continuity be ensured?
By transferring files and mailboxes.
4. Is this relevant to small businesses?
Yes, especially for SMEs with limited IT capacity.
Conclusion & CTA
A good offboarding process is not a luxury, but a necessity. It prevents data breaches, ensures compliance and protects the continuity of your organization.
💡 Want to know how your company can start offboarding more securely today?
👉 Schedule a free consultation right away: alta-ict.co.uk/demobooks
Reference
¹https://www.linkedin.com/posts/altaict_onedrive-iso27001-iso9001-activity-7354984986606796800-993h
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