Preventing Corporate Espionage - Assignment Example

People negotiated for their silk products from around the world, even resulting in the creation of the silk road. Long coveted, the Chinese were able to safeguard the secrets involved in the manufacture and creation of quality silk products. This was despite numerous attempts to steal their ingenuity. Alas, one day the theft of the ‘technology’ and ingenuity required in silk production occurred by a simple device. Some monks simply smuggled out silkworm eggs via bamboo walking sticks of all things and the world now was open to the production of silk.

More than 1,000 years later, companies, governments, and individuals are still grappling with ways to protect their intellectual property.  As a result, the importance of constantly being on the lookout for other people and their attempts to steal information or other secrets is increasingly apparent. In addition, it is increasingly important today to be knowledgeable about the innovative methods used today to steal secrets, using modern technology and strategies, that can impact nearly every level of any organization (Podszywalow, 2012). This synopsis will go a long way towards helping organizations protract their intellectual property from such efforts.

The evidence of espionage is all around us today. We have individuals stealing secrets from governments, and we have companies striving to gain a let up on the competition in any way possible. As a result, it is certainly important to implement the measures discussed the Podszwalow in his recent summary of ways to not only detect possible intrusions by others but to protect intellectual property from falling into the hands of ill-intentioned people. It is noted that an effective protection plan looks at safeguarding information in four different areas. Owing to modern technology, intellectual property is at risk in its paper, visual, oral, and electronic forms (Podszywalow, 2012). Each of the areas provides a possible way of intrusion that certainly puts the intellectual property at perpetual risk of begin stolen.

It is interesting to note that even spoken conversations can put the entire company at risk. Meetings, both informal and formal, must be safeguarded against outsiders listening in.  While it is not prudent to expect many companies to invest in eavesdropping prevention measures, certain steps could certainly be implemented to help reasonably ensure that unwanted ears are not privy to certain communications. One area that is at risk is people from the inside relaying information to the outside world. This is one concern when it comes to espionage that is virtually impossible to ignore and detect, particularly when it comes to oral communication. Even high-ranking employees in an organization can find it difficult to leave the building with sensitive information in its written or electronic form, but it is virtually impossible to eliminate what they have heard during t normal business meeting, or from simply passing by one’s office. As such, it seems to me that it is also critical that essential employees be well-vetted before becoming privy to sensitive spoken conversations or meetings. Loyalty to the organization should be demonstrated, but even then the theft of intellectual property via this method still occurs.

In considering how to protect property from theft, the four areas mentioned in this article are critical. The truth is that there are multiple ways that intellectual property is stolen today, but often it is in the simple things that we are most vulnerable to. By protecting electronic communication and ensuring that sensitive information is not easily accessible by individuals that truly do not need the information, the company can protect itself. Some organizations are better at this than others. The Apple computer company, for example, is notorious for the extraordinary lengths they will go to protect company secrets. IManyApple employees do not even know what is next in the product line for the company, and those that do know are incredibly secretive. This process has resulted in very few leaks, either major or minor in scope, during the company’s storied history.  As a result, it has been demonstrated that espionage can be minimized to a large degree, but it does require work and dedication. Read More