Securing a company against corporate espionage requires awareness of the problem. Unfortunately, many businesses are too busy to carry out protective measures in this area. If you are one of the busy businesspeople, catch up and read the article below. Learn about the 9 most common industrial espionage techniques.
Corporate espionage – what is it?
Corporate espionage, otherwise known as industrial espionage, is an increasingly recognised phenomenon by business owners. It refers to activities aimed at acquiring company secrets for later use or sale. Anything to gain market advantage.
Information theft is a despicable game, most often played by disloyal employees while entrepreneurs are unaware of anything. Moreover, they find out about the interception of company secrets too late. Counteraction then becomes limited.
Industrial espionage versus business intelligence.
When doing research on corporate espionage activities, you are bound to come across the term – business intelligence. However, these two terms should not be confused, even though they have the same objective – to gain an advantage in the market.
Business intelligence is a regular feature of modern business. It involves obtaining valuable information in an ethical and, above all, legal manner. Corporate espionage, on the other hand, uses underhand methods that are illegal.
Corporate espionage techniques
Industrial espionage has evolved over the years to such a high degree of sophistication that it can be compared to the methods of the secret services. Competing companies usually hire trained people, and it is through them that they acquire the knowledge they need. To protect your company, it is worth knowing these few techniques of corporate espionage.
Technical surveillance
This is a method that uses electronic devices such as wiretaps, hidden cameras, GPS locators, etc. It is, of course, illegal and a significant invasion of privacy.
Personal sources of information
This way involves using a person who will enter or is already present in the company’s structures. Most often, this person plays the role of a sabotaging employee. He or she transmits the company’s internal information to the competition on an ongoing basis.
Burglary
The purpose of breaking into a company’s premises is to copy disks or steal documents. If you see any signs of a breach, report the matter to the police immediately.
Disinformation
If you have noticed unsubstantiated negative feedback about your business or false information that erodes trust and ratings, know that you are dealing with fraudulent practices. You can report such activities to the relevant services.
Theft of company property
Has a laptop or other storage media disappeared from your business? Or perhaps the keys to your office? This could mean that someone is trying to get hold of secret information. Alert the services immediately and increase the level of security in the building.
Social engineering attacks
This is one of the biggest threats to companies and institutions. This method takes advantage of the inattention of employees. It involves impersonating trusted individuals in order to phish for data. Social engineering attacks are often based on phishing or spoofing.
Hacking
Lack of adequate security can lead to hacking of IT systems. Hacking into a company’s computer networks is an easy way to steal confidential information.
Blackmail
A brutal form that forces, for example, employees to hand over data about the company. This method is particularly dangerous and difficult to counteract.
False recruitment
It is a simple way to obtain information on the employees of different companies. This can be the first step leading fraudsters to obtain the personal source of information mentioned in point no. 2.
Which industries are most vulnerable?
Corporate espionage is a problem that affects many industries where information is a valuable asset. It most often affects high-tech sectors and companies investing in research and development.
Among the areas particularly vulnerable to industrial espionage are automotive, pharmaceuticals, finance and IT. This is where the competition is outdoing itself the most. However, corporate espionage cannot be ruled out in other areas as well. Remember, every company is susceptible to this kind of activity, including yours.
Corporate espionage – how to protect yourself?
As many methods of spying, as many ways to protect against them. This makes it challenging to ensure security against such threats. However, among the key elements is a well-developed company Information Security Policy.
The pillars of such protection are regular staff training and the implementation of physical and IT safeguards. It is also worth keeping an eye on your employees.
FAQ – Corporate espionage
Find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions about corporate espionage!
What is corporate espionage?
Corporate espionage is the act of stealing information to gain market advantage. This may include, for example, trade secrets.
Is corporate espionage legal?
Corporate espionage is not legal. Such activities are based on unlawful methods. They are also punishable under the Act on Combating Unfair Competition.
Is business intelligence espionage?
Corporate espionage is a different term. Business intelligence enables the acquisition of valuable information in a legal and ethical manner.
What are the methods of corporate espionage?
Illegal ways to obtain corporate information are many. A distinction can be made between hacking, blackmail, surveillance or internal sabotage.
Is it possible to avoid stealing information from a company?
Yes. It is advisable to have an appropriate Information Security Policy in place and to monitor the activities of your employees.