| You know you have seen many Hollywood | | | | usually done through telephone bugs, e-mail, and |
| glorifications of spies when you start thinking that all | | | | instant messaging interception, among others. Of |
| spies, both reel and real, have only noble intentions in | | | | course, there is always the old-fashioned way of |
| committing industrial espionage. Add in impressive mini | | | | literally putting your ears to the walls. However, with |
| spy cameras and other gadgets, and everybody | | | | highly advanced mini spy cameras with audio |
| looks like James Bond. This is far from the truth. | | | | capabilities, this old method is somewhat redundant. |
| As a businessman, you will realize that industrial | | | | Surveillance uses electronic and technological means, |
| espionage does not only affect your business, not by | | | | just like eavesdropping. In business, you will |
| a long shot. Depending on the extent of spying | | | | encounter the use of cleverly-hidden mini spy |
| performed, the methods employed, and the uses to | | | | cameras that record your documents, processes, and |
| which the stolen information is applied, industrial | | | | people. The first two are of special concern since |
| espionage causes loss of revenue and taxes, loss of | | | | these are used to gain economic advantage over |
| direct and indirect jobs, negative impact on the trade | | | | you. |
| balance, and an undermined confidence in personal | | | | Suspicious Behaviors |
| and corporate security. In short, you will lose money | | | | When your employees access computer files and |
| and people. | | | | report to the office after normal or authorized |
| Spread of Industrial Espionage | | | | working hours, especially in restricted areas, you |
| Espionage has been around for a long time. Almost all | | | | might have spies in your organization. If it is possible, |
| societies have a history of deception and subterfuge, | | | | install hidden mini spy cameras in strategic areas not |
| the enduring practice of which attest to the | | | | only to minimize employee theft of properties but |
| invaluable role espionage has played in building and | | | | more importantly, intellectual property theft. When |
| destroying organizations. | | | | your employees also report suspicious and |
| With the advent of modern technology, the methods | | | | unverifiable laptop theft, watch for signs of spying. |
| employed have also improved. The invention of the | | | | As to business associates, be very wary of them |
| mini spy cameras has pushed industrial espionage to | | | | when they change personnel at the last minute for |
| new heights (or lows, depending on how you look at | | | | sub-contracting projects. Also, be cautious about |
| it), such that it is virtually impossible to prevent | | | | inviting them to manufacturing and administrative |
| intellectual property theft. Indeed, the detection of | | | | areas unless absolutely necessary; this might be a |
| Internet spies is easier compared to spies who use | | | | ploy to acquire a lay-out of the premises and record |
| mini spy cameras to record confidential information. | | | | trade manufacturing secrets. |
| Methods Employed | | | | For visitors, watch out for guests who break away |
| To protect yourself against the debilitating effects of | | | | from the tour group. Again, this might be a plan to |
| industrial espionage, you need to know the methods | | | | acquire information. |
| employed. This is to enable you to adopt | | | | Armed with information about how you can prevent, |
| countermeasures to lessen its effects. | | | | or at least minimize, industrial espionage can help you |
| Eavesdropping is the interception and interpretation | | | | in organizational development. Use the methods and |
| of text messages and audio conversations. This is | | | | gadgets of industrial spies to your benefit, too. |