When an employee is terminated, what is the most important action to take?

Disabling the employee's logical access is crucial to prevent any unauthorized access to the company's systems and data after their termination. When an employee leaves, they may still possess knowledge of sensitive information or access to critical systems that could be exploited if not managed properly. By disabling their logical access immediately upon termination, the organization safeguards its data security and mitigates the risk of potential data breaches or misuse of information.

While handing over files, backing up work, and notifying other employees are all important actions to consider in the context of employee termination, they do not address the immediate security risk posed by the departing employee potentially accessing systems or sensitive information. Prioritizing the cutting off of access ensures that the organization takes the necessary steps to protect its resources effectively at the onset of the change in employment status.