Economic Espionage: Security Missions Redefined

摘要: Introduction Throughout history, espionage has generally been viewed as an activity conducted by spies to obtain the military secrets of enemy. Some most successful and well-known examples include England's use uncover information that helped defeat Spanish Armada in 1588; Allies during World War 11 Axis powers; Soviet Union's steal atomic bomb from their former allies, United States Britain. In post Cold era, however, increasing international economic competition redefined context for nations link national security security. Spying intelligence services is expanding its primary focus on collecting secrets, i.e., conducting espionage. The particularly vulnerable changing agencies since so many American corporations research centers rely heavily communications systems, computer networks, electronic equipment process store information. Over 50 countries have covertly tried advanced technologies industries (U.S. Senate, 1996a). 1995, annual cost corporate America was conservatively estimated be at least $50 billion. If intellectual property theft unrestricted technology transfer are included, estimate rises up $240 billion (Perry, 3). A wide range federal statutes provide authority activities counter These undertaken nine agencies, including FBI, which dominant role. However, given extent problem, it obvious existing initiatives had not effective preventing secrets. recognition growing threat inability legislation deal with it, Economic Espionage Act 1996 (18 U.S.C. secs. 1831-1839) signed into law October 11, 1996, creating a new crime -- trade Department justice now sweeping prosecute States. act, intended crack down foreign domestic competitors, makes illegal competitor's "proprietary" imposes stiff penalties these thefts. Section 1831 act addresses provisions agents powers. 1832 any person convert secret his own benefit or others knowing offense will injure owner secret. Although problem become extensive subject debate Congress, few people outside those fighting affected were aware scope impact. This article attempts close this gap providing working definition describing methods used centers, summarizing technological capabilities selected conduct against also public-sector protect interests. Espionage: What Are We Talking About? According "economic means foreign-power sponsored coordinated directed U.S. Government corporations, establishments, persons purpose unlawfully obtaining proprietary information" (FBI, 2). 1839 "trade secret" defined mean all forms types financial, business, scientific, technical, economic, engineering information, patterns, plans, compilations, program devices, formulas, designs, prototypes, methods, techniques, processes, procedures, programs codes, whether tangible intangible, how stored, compiled, memorialized physically, electronically, graphically, photographically, writing. …