Industrial espionage has become almost a necessity for most modern countries. This type of espionage is sometimes referred to as low-profile or light espionage activity.
However, it is often no less dangerous than other field operational activities. In order to get results, agencies often have to invest in unique people over long periods of time.
This type of activity must be done with great care, as a leak from an organization can reveal the mere existence of a mole and permanently terminate its activity.
It is a very complicated and sophisticated long-term espionage activity that requires various skills to get to the right position in the organization, access to the right information and the ability to transfer it.
There are many types, forms and ways to carry out this type of espionage. Industrial espionage is generally known as economic or corporate espionage.
The main purpose is for commercial purposes. However, there are other objectives, such as those for national security purposes, and this type of espionage is carried out by governments around the world.
In such cases, the targets are corporations, mainly those based on sophisticated technology such as: aerospace, telecommunications, biotechnology and others.
Postwar industrial espionage has taken additional forms, such as sabotage. This act is done in cases where the goal is to cause delays in certain developments, such as industries developing advanced military weapons.
Agent recruitment takes many forms. A good and easy way is to identify a dissatisfied employee who is willing to cooperate for financial gain along with revenge.
An inside job is considered one of the best ways to get the necessary information.
In certain cases, some convincing may be required to obtain the necessary level of cooperation, which may include blackmail, bribery or benefits.
Although recruiting an insider is a favorable way, there is no comparison to the well-trained and dedicated insider. The use of inside agents or inside agents can be at the corporate level, government level, or both.
In order to hide the original source ordering or requiring that data or process, there are often layers of operatives or organizations in between.
In certain cases, governments prefer to do this type of espionage instead of making use of their own intelligence agencies. Governments use their corporate delegates, students and academics for the collection of information.
Industrial espionage during the period 1960-1980 was very difficult. However, with the introduction of super fast computers and the Internet, it has become much easier to transfer data. Consequently, new counterintelligence measures have been developed, but they have not yet eliminated the possibilities of copying and stealing information.
The United States National Counterintelligence Center (NACIC), in its reports to Congress, has pointed to the existence of foreign industrial espionage activities.
They reported that the main target industries are information systems, aeronautics, biotechnology, electronics, sensors, weapons, energy-related materials, nuclear systems, telecommunications, space systems, and weapons.
Espionage methods include surveillance and specialized technical operations such as signals intelligence. Foreign students studying in the US and foreign employees of US companies and agencies are very common sources of recruitment.
There are similar activities during international conferences and trade fairs. Other sources include the sponsorship of research projects in the US and the assignment of foreign business officials or scientists to joint research and development projects. In addition, a wide range of misinformation is used in many areas. There is a wide range of free or open information that can be and is exploited. There are many publicly accessible databases that are available to everyone. In addition, anyone can request information directly or by email, by contacting scientists and discussion groups.
In reality, these days it is almost impossible to seal and protect information from leaks.
As long as data is held digitally and online and humans or treacherous humans are involved, protecting and saving information is very difficult.
According to the FBI, economic espionage by countries considered friends or adversaries of the US increases every year. They have confirmed that hundreds of foreign counterintelligence investigations involving economic espionage are pending before the Bureau.
Such espionage can make a huge contribution to the national security of the spying country.
