| Corporate Espionage is a growing problem and threat | | | | Much to the company's own downfall, security for |
| to more companies than you probably think! Below I | | | | this coveted information is often an afterthought. |
| will dispense some information every business owner | | | | Most corporations are developing new technologies |
| should know! | | | | faster than they can protect them. Very few |
| What Is Corporate Espionage? | | | | companies are spending the time and money to |
| Espionage is the practice of obtaining information | | | | implement the hardware, software, and services |
| about an organization that is considered secret and | | | | required to monitor and protect their information. |
| confidential without the permission of the information | | | | How Does It Happen And How Can I Fight It? |
| holder themselves. In other words... spying. | | | | Corporate Espionage can happen in a number of |
| Espionage involves accessing the location where the | | | | ways, but basically it's any breach of security in your |
| information is actually stored- As in entering an office | | | | company. Methods range from computer hacking, |
| building to try and seek out the company's methods | | | | theft, and intimidation, to dumpster diving and |
| and tactics or gaining unauthorized access to a | | | | personnel impersonations. |
| company computer. It also involves contacting the | | | | A few basic things you can do to protect yourself: |
| people who know the desired information and trying | | | | 1. Make employees aware of 'Social Engineering Ploys.' |
| to get them to slowly divulge it. | | | | Make sure they are familiar with the tactics so they |
| How Dangerous Is It? | | | | can recognize it when something happens. Set up a |
| Corporate Espionage is a serious risk to any business | | | | procedure for them to follow in the event they think |
| that depends on information. Any 'spy' who is | | | | they are a target of a social engineering attack. |
| targeting a company is seeking inside information that | | | | 2. Make sure you have sufficient physical building |
| the company depends on for its success. If that | | | | security. Your office building houses your employees, |
| outsider is able to gain access to that information, | | | | files, computers, servers, and all your other valuable |
| then the company no longer has a leg up on | | | | information and sources. Invest in video surveillance |
| competition, it levels the playing field. To say the | | | | and make sure it gets checked often. |
| very least... | | | | 3. Keep the latest security software on your |
| Some examples of information that is often sought | | | | computers and servers at all times. These are |
| after:o Client List - any list of current and past clients, | | | | common points of attack for any corporation so it's |
| their contact information, and what products and | | | | key to keep them locked up. |
| services they purchased from you.o Supplier | | | | Despite the digital world we live in, dumpster diving is |
| Agreements - information that lets others know | | | | the most common method used to obtain |
| what kind of agreements you hold with your | | | | confidential data without the information owner |
| suppliers, your relationship with them, and what you | | | | finding out. It's a messy and primitive method, but is |
| are or plan to be using them for.o Personal Records - | | | | very successful in acquiring trade secrets. But how |
| records indicating spending habits, income, bank | | | | can that be? Someone can just take your |
| balances and account numbers, commonly called | | | | information right out of your garbage can? Yes, |
| phone numbers, credit card accounts, ect.o Research | | | | dumpster diving is disgusting and totally legal. Once |
| Documents - any research history that can help | | | | you discard it onto a public street for garbage pickup, |
| foretell where you plan to take the company in the | | | | it's totally fair game. Dumpster Divers have been |
| next few years.o Prototype Plans - plans, paper | | | | successful in obtaining company phone books, |
| work, contracts, or actual physical prototypes of a | | | | organization charts, memos, company policy manuals, |
| new product or service you plan to offer.o A few | | | | meeting calendars, system manuals, login names and |
| other examples include : patents, pricing strategies, | | | | passwords, source code, disks and tapes and much |
| source code, and unique manufacturing and | | | | more. |
| technological operations. | | | | So what can you do? |
| Any of the above information could be greatly | | | | Use a shredding company! Shred EVERYTHING! No |
| beneficial to the unauthorized individual who has | | | | longer is just paper print outs your biggest liability, |
| stolen it from you. It can lead to devastating financial | | | | CD's, DVD's, hard drives, servers are all a huge threat |
| effects to a company causing them to lose clients | | | | to you if they land in the wrong hands. Seek a |
| and money to their untrustworthy competitor. The | | | | company who has the ability to successfully destroy |
| information could also be used for scams, credit card | | | | any and all confidential matter. |
| fraud, and blackmail. | | | | |