One third of UK and US workers would steal data to help their friends find a job, according to a recent study.

In the study, conducted by digital account management specialists Cyber Ark, 600 office workers were interviewed in Canary Wharf, London and Wall Street, New York. It found that 41 per cent of workers have already taken sensitive information from their employers, and one third would pass on company information if it proves useful to getting friends or family a job.

Although 85 per cent knew it was illegal to download corporate information, 41 per cent still took it. Some 57 per cent of respondents said it has become easier to take sensitive information from their bosses, up from 29 per cent last year.

Some 48 per cent say that if they were fired tomorrow, they would take company information with them, with 39 per cent saying they would download company information if they thought their job was at risk.

Of those planning to take competitive or sensitive company data, 64 per cent would do so in case it was useful in future, 27 per cent would use it to negotiate a new position, while 20 per cent would use it as a tool in their new job.

One quarter of city workers questioned said the recession has meant they feel less loyal towards their employer.