• Keep it secret and thus keep it safe has long been the mantra of those advocating for trade secret protection. While trade secret protection is sometimes the most appropriate form of protection to employ, it is full of traps for the unwary. Physical security comes first and starts at the door. In some circumstances, it may require searching of incoming and outgoing containers such as briefcases and pocketbooks. Physical security should also include scrutiny of electronic transmissions in and out of a facility, and particularly those that have attachments. It may also be necessary to secure files so that they cannot be uploaded to another website. Contractual protection is the second requirement. Agreements with all employees, business partners, vendors and customers who have access to the trade secrets is critical, because it gives you a contractual basis to stop them from disclosing or using the trade secrets on the side and after the end their relationship with you.