Counterespionage Solutions
Ensuring the Integrity of your Confidential Information

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Foreign Governments - Economic Espionage

economic-espionage The single greatest asset held by most companies is their information. Its protection is key to the success of any business, particularly in highly competitive markets where new designs, technological advance and intellectual property have significant commercial value. The UK is recognised for its world leading scientific advancements and its research and development across many business sectors. This makes it an attractive prospect for countries who wish to advance their own economy, without the financial burden or time constraints.

“At least 20 foreign intelligence services are operating to some degree against UK interests. Of greatest concern are the Russians and Chinese”

Security Service (MI5)

“There is no challenge more ominous to Global business competitiveness than economic espionage. Espionage is a growing threat….. estimated at $2billion a month”

Thomas Donahue President US Chamber of Commerce

“Espionage costs top 1000 companies $45billion per annum. Corporate spying has doubled in the past 10 years”

PwC - Information Management Journal 2008

Examples of Economic Espionage

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao completed his three-day visit to the UK in June 2011, a visit intended to boost commercial, economic and political links between the countries. However MI5 used the opportunity to once again warn UK industry that they believe the Chinese government "represents one of the most significant espionage threats to the UK."

Jonathan Evans, the director general of MI5, has singled out China for their attempts to spy on Britain saying they "continue to devote considerable time and energy trying to steal our sensitive technology on civilian and military projects and trying to obtain political and economic intelligence at our expense."

And he’s not alone. James Dyson, inventor of the bag-free vacuum cleaner, claimed that Chinese postgraduates are enrolling in UK schools and using the opportunity to perpetrate acts of industrial espionage. “They go back home taking the science and technology knowledge with them, and then they start competing with us,” he told the Sunday Times in March 2011.

Consider the loss of the former Rover car plant at Longbridge to China after the company is alleged to have been infiltrated by the daughter of a Shanghai Automotive Industry executive which culminated in substantial job losses and a loss of UK heritage. Victims also include one of Gordon Brown's aides who was caught in a "honeytrap" operation by a suspected Chinese intelligence agent who is thought to have stolen his Blackberry phone after she approached him in a Shanghai hotel disco three years ago. And the CPNI warn that hotel rooms in major Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, frequented by foreigners, were likely to be bugged and have been searched while the occupants are out of the room.

It is important that businesses look at their defences to see that their information is protected and employ a level of countermeasures appropriate to the risks and potential losses, whether it be financial or reputational.

If you have concerns surrounding the integrity of your information, call Esoteric today on +44 (0) 1483 740723 or contact us here.