An Alberta security professional is privy to sensitive client information, including strategic business plans, through their work on a contract. If a former colleague, now working for a competitor, attempts to solicit this information, how should the security professional ethically respond?

Question: An Alberta security professional is privy to sensitive client information, including strategic business plans, through their work on a contract. If a former colleague, now working for a competitor, attempts to solicit this information, how should the security professional ethically respond?

Answer options:

• Politely decline to share the information, citing confidentiality agreements.
• Share limited, non-critical information, assuming it won't severely impact the client. ✅ Report the solicitation attempt to their employer and decline to provide any sensitive information.
• Inform the former colleague that they are bound by confidentiality but offer to provide publicly available information.

Correct answer: Report the solicitation attempt to their employer and decline to provide any sensitive information.

Explanation: Security professionals have a strict ethical and legal obligation to maintain client confidentiality, as stipulated in codes of conduct and privacy legislation. Any attempt to solicit confidential information must be reported to management to ensure the integrity of the information and the security professional's own compliance with their duties.