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Cyberattacks, corporate espionage now targeting smaller companies

Intellectual property theft, corporate espionage growing
By Emily Chung, CBC News

Smaller companies, their websites and their intellectual property are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks, a new report on IT security trends says.

Targeted attacks were up 42 per cent in 2012 compared to the year before, and businesses with fewer than 250 employees are the fastest growing segment being targeted, according to the annual internet security threat report issued Tuesday by Symantec.

Based on data from 69 million “attack sensors” around the world, the report said small businesses were hit by 31 per cent of targeted attacks in 2012, up from 18 per cent a year earlier. That represents a 72 per cent increase.

The type of information being targeted by attackers is also changing — financial information is now losing ground to other kinds of competitive data, the report found.

According internet security firm Symantec, [...]
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Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00April 23rd, 2013|

Top Senate Republican Asks Feds to Investigate Possible Illegal Wiretap

Editor’s comment: interesting to note, that in the story below, Mitch McConnell’s name is tied to this incident, but the alleged slanderous statements that were intercepted were made by someone else, not McConnell. Politics aside, if a meeting or board room is bugged, or if conversations are intercepted, this demonstrates that the PR problems created can easily affect much more than just the lone person who made the intercepted statements. Keep your meetings secure through professional technical countermeasures!

The Weekly Standard

10:39 AM, APR 9, 2013 • BY DANIEL HALPER

The top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, is asking the feds to investigate whether a closed campaign meeting was illegally wiretapped by his political opponents. The issue arises after the liberal outlet Mother Jones published “A recording of a private meeting between the Senate GOP leader and campaign aides.”

In a statement to the press, McConnell’s campaign manager, Jesse Benton, says the feds are getting […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00April 10th, 2013|

Syria Alleges to Discover Israeli Spy Devices

Associated Press, DAMASCUS, Syria March 7, 2013 (AP)

Syrian authorities have discovered Israeli spying devices that were apparently hidden in objects that resembled rocks, Syria’s state news agency said Thursday.

SANA’s report said the devices are designed to photograph, register and transfer data. The agency said the objects were uncovered in Syria’s coastal regions, but gave no further details.

The Israeli military declined comment.

State-run TV aired footage of an object consisting of what looked like a camera and a satellite dish, and other objects that resembled rocks. Plastic boxes resembling batteries and cables were shown lined up in a room.

Lebanon also discovered similar devices in recent years, and said the objects were planted by Israel.

Syria and Israel have fought several wars since the Jewish state’s creating in 1948, and the two nations remain technically in a state of war even now.

Israeli warplanes carried out an air raid near Damascus […]

Charles Patterson2013-03-08T10:47:25-05:00March 8th, 2013|

The need for protecting confidential information.

The White House administration recently launched a strategy to mitigate the theft of U.S. trade secrets. (see: www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/02/19/launch-administration-s-strategy-mitigate-theft-us-trade-secrets )

Part of the new White House strategy includes supporting ” industry-led efforts to develop best practices to protect trade secrets and encourage companies to share with each other best practices that can mitigate the risk of trade secret theft.” […www.whitehouse.gov] This is something many of us in the security and TSCM industry have been calling for for decades.

How valuable is your information?

Hopefully many corporations will begin to pay closer attention to their information security needs. Often we have heard from corporate clients who really don’t think it would hurt them much if a little information went missing. One company who developed medical equipment for cancer treatment did not have an alarm system in their office. When I asked about that oversight, they said they had nothing worth stealing. “If someone stole […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00February 23rd, 2013|

White House announces new strategy to fight theft of intellectual property

Effort will include diplomatic, law enforcement pressure
By T.C. Sottek on February 20, 2013 03:25 pm

The White House has just announced a new strategy to combat the theft of US trade secrets, created in coordination with several US agencies including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State. The strategy, detailed in a 141-page document, focuses on 5 action items, including diplomatic efforts, cooperation with private industry to promote best practices in security, enhanced law enforcement operations and legislation, and public outreach. The White House says that “the Administration will continue to act vigorously to combat the theft of American trade secrets that could be used by foreign companies or foreign governments to gain an unfair commercial advantage.”

Today’s announcement follows a spate of admissions by US companies that hackers had infiltrated their systems in recent months, sometimes employing elaborate and sophisticated attacks over […]

Exec Security2013-02-21T09:25:47-05:00February 21st, 2013|

China Wire-tapping Wars: The World of Official Espionage

From China Digital Times

Wire-tapping Wars: The World of Official Espionage

Before the Southern Weekly crisis broke out last month, one of the paper’s sister publications, the magazineSouthern People Weekly, published a scathing exposé on the secret world of spying and backstabbing endemic throughout Chinese officialdom. Aside from revelations about Bo Xilai bugging calls with president Hu Jintao, there has been little available information about surveillance inside the Party.

The December article narrates the adventures of Qi Hong, an ex-wire-tapping detective who was so busy debugging the offices of various Chinese officials, he once dismantled 40 hidden wires and cameras in a single week.

The piece is no longer available from Southern People Weekly online.
CDT’s Mengyu Dong has translated the entire article below:

Wire-tapping with Chinese Characteristics

Qi Hong grabbed a handrail on a crowded Beijing subway, exposing a deep scar. Others on […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00February 19th, 2013|

Corporate espionage: fascination with spying and spy technology

Interest and fascination with spying is ever present, especially in the corporate world. This can lead employees to cross boundaries and attempt illegal eavesdropping or theft of information for their own advancement or profit.

The availability today of inexpensive electronic devices that can be used for covert surveillance can lead the less ethical among us to venture into the world of spy craft. Many may not even realize they could be breaking serious laws through the use of simple items they found on the internet.

Lifehacker recently sponsored a number of articles about spy technology available to the average person. [here]

“When you’re a spy, you are often called on to augment your training with improvised solutions using whatever happens to be at hand. Sounds a lot like life hacking, doesn’t it? While most of us don’t have the pressure that spies face or the intensive training they receive, we can […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 27th, 2013|

“Work Like a Spy: An Ex-CIA Officer’s Tips for Business Success”

Former CIA operative, J. C. Carleson, has written “Work Like a Spy: An Ex-CIA Officer’s Tips for Business Success” where she applies what she learned in the CIA to working in the corporate world. Due on bookshelves in February.

She was interviewed regarding her new book by Fast Company, www.fastcompany.com

“…in the spy world let’s say there’s a change in leadership–a shift in power, someone new is taking the helm. There are always going to be people who feel stepped on. Those are the people who are vulnerable to recruitment by a spy. They still have access and knowledge. They are the people who see the writing on the wall, so they want to get revenge or build up a bank account. Translate that to the corporate world: new management comes in, a CEO gets ousted, a new exec brings a new team, people in the organization feel stepped on, they feel […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 27th, 2013|

Sports espionage: NBA Commissioner David Stern weighs in, “Don’t eavesdrop!”

January 17, 2013, 5:06 PM ET
By Mark Woods | Special to ESPNNewYork.com

LONDON — NBA commissioner David Stern says any team tempted to “eavesdrop” on opponents will face sanctions from the league.
But the actions of New York Knicks owner James Dolan in ordering extra microphones to be installed within Madison Square Garden in the wake of Carmelo Anthony’s recent suspension did not break any rules, he confirmed.

Speaking in London ahead of Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, Stern revealed he would like to see more devices available so that fans can listen in to players and referees in a similar fashion to the National Football League.

But acts of espionage are off limits. “If a team does something to eavesdrop on other players, they would be sanctioned because it would be against our rules,” Stern said.

“But there is a difference between eavesdropping such as […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 18th, 2013|

Corporate Espionage Fines Jump with New Trade Secrets Law

By Jeffrey Benzing | January 15, 2013 4:28 pm

Maximum fines are jumping well into the millions for those accused of stealing trade secrets to benefit foreign entities.

On Monday, President Barack Obama signed the Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012, which raises the maximum fine for an individual from $500,000 to $5 million. The maximum fine for an organization, previously set at $10 million, is now either $10 million or three times the value of the stolen trade secret.

This value includes the cost of research, design and other production expenses the organization avoided through economic espionage.

In August, then-House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex) said the bill would keep foreign entities from illegally benefiting from American innovation. In particular, he noted the threat U.S. companies face from cyber criminals.

“The economic and national security of our country depends on the security of […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|

Municipal espionage: Michigan county pays in eavesdropping lawsuit.

Occasionally we have been hired by police departments because they thought the mayor was bugging their offices and by mayors’ offices because they were worried about the police eavesdropping on them (not the same city, though). Even those involved with the law do not always understand (or care about) the legal ramifications of their actions. This case was sheriff vs. deputies, and it cost the county $625,000.00.

Leelanau County Pays $625K In Eavesdropping Lawsuit
January 17, 2013 3:21 PM

SUTTONS BAY, Mich. (AP) – Court documents show that Leelanau County’s board of commissioners has agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a federal lawsuit by sheriff’s deputies who say the then-sheriff and undersheriff eavesdropped on their private conversations and otherwise violated their rights.

The board in the northwestern Lower Peninsula county approved the deal in October but didn’t reveal its terms. The Traverse City Record-Eagle says the amount of the payment was listed in […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|

Industrial espionage: AMD files suit against former employees for alleged document theft

By Joel Hruska on January 15, 2013 at 4:00 pm
from extremetech.com

AMD has filed (and been granted) a request for immediate injunctive relief against multiple former employees that it alleges stole thousands of confidential documents. Named in the complaint are Robert Feldstein, Manoo Desai, Nicholas Kociuk, and Richard Hagen. All four left AMD to work at Nvidia in the past year. The loss of Feldstein was particularly noteworthy, as he’d been the head of AMD’s console initiatives for years. Feldstein was behind the work that landed AMD the Wii U, PS4, and Xbox Durango. He also worked closely with Microsoft during the Xbox 360′s development cycle and brought that contract to ATI prior to AMD’s acquisition.

The AMD complaint states that “He [Feldstein] transferred sensitive AMD documents, and in the next six months, the three defendants either did the same thing, violated ‘no-solicitation of employees’ promises, or […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|

Port terminal operator APM eavesdropped on workers, union alleges

The union behind the recent L.A. and Long Beach port strike accuses APM Terminals of conducting ‘secret surveillance’ for months to gain an edge in labor negotiations. APM says it’s investigating the matter.

December 18, 2012|By Michael Welles Shapiro

APM Terminals has been accused by a California dockworkers union of eavesdropping on workers to gain an edge in contract negotiations.

The complaint, filed with the National Labor Relations Board by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63, said APM “conducted secret surveillance, eavesdropping and snooping and listening in on confidential communications between and among union representatives, shop stewards and members concerning ongoing contract negotiations, bargaining strategies and labor-management issues.”

The complaint was filed Nov. 14, about two weeks before the union’s clerical workers went on an eight-day strike that shut down most of the cargo terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest seaport complex in the country. In […]

Exec Security2013-01-03T00:26:20-05:00January 3rd, 2013|

How the biz world took a page from the CIA

December 20, 2012: 11:13 AM ET; from CNN Money
By Omar Akhtar, reporter

Companies use a variety of methods to stay one step ahead of their rivals. Competitive intelligence is one of the fastest growing ways to pull this off.

FORTUNE — Corporate espionage may be illegal, but companies can still keep tabs on the competition. Some large corporations around the globe spend more than $2 million a year hiring outside firms or staffing internal departments to track and analyze the actions and strategies of their competitors. These companies pull this off with the help of public resources and investigative research, a practice collectively known as competitive intelligence (CI).

“Competitive intelligence is gathering information, which is analyzed to the point where you can make a decision,” says Leonard Fuld, president of competitive intelligence and research firm Fuld & Company. This includes […]

Exec Security2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 2nd, 2013|

Vulnerability on VOIP phone systems.

by Charles Patterson
Patterson Communications, Inc.
www.execsecurity.com

VOIP vulnerability and disaster recovery

We’ve had a busy schedule here in the New York area since Hurricane Sandy hit. A few of our clients lost their entire offices due to flooding from the Hudson River and had to relocate. We have been spending many hours helping some of them get their phone systems situated and back on line.

Flood waters

One of our clients’ entire office (60 employees) was under four feet of water and they quickly had to relocate to a temporary facility a few miles away. To keep their business operational they signed up with a VOIP hosted phone provider who was able to give them phone service at their new office in a very short period of time. This was great for their quick recovery from the disaster. In helping them set up their new phones, though, […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00December 11th, 2012|

Apple’s secret garden: the struggle over leaks and security

“I understand why people leak, because everyone wants to feel important and prove that they know things,” one employee said.

Apple’s secret garden: the struggle over leaks and security

by Jacqui Cheng – Oct 22 2012, 9:00am

Apple engineers love the “big reveal.” When a surprising new product they have been toiling over in secrecy finally bursts into public view during an Apple keynote, they enjoy seeing the public reaction. But the public wants its products details early, and it gets them in the form of leaks, rumors, and grainy cell phone shots of dubious authenticity. To the engineers, this is a bit like children who insist of spoiling the fun of opening presents by shaking them, squeezing them, and finally guessing exactly what’s within. Increasingly, though, leaked products are the reality even for the famously secretive Apple.

Products have always leaked out of Apple. To the leaker, knowledge is a form of power, […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00October 22nd, 2012|

Industrial espionage: is it tax deductible?

British tribunal sees spying as a normal business expense…

Industrial espionage: It’s tax deductible

By Mark Halper | October 16, 2012, 3:48 AM PDT
How do you soften the blow when you’ve had to pay a $100 million fine for spying on your business rival?
You deduct it from taxes.

That’s what British Formula 1 race car team McLaren is doing with a penalty it paid for secretly photocopying technical designs belonging to Italian rival Ferrari.

A British tax tribunal has even approved the maneuver. It agreed with McLaren that “spying on rivals is a normal business expense,” as BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys phrased it on a recent news program (you can listen here until the link expires).

The fine was levied by Fomula 1’s French ruling body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, and not via civil action.

Pssst! If you snap the […]

Charles Patterson2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00October 20th, 2012|

Beverly Hills Billionaire Eavesdropping Case Back in News

Beverly Hills Billionaire Eavesdropping Case Back in News

(CNS) Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2012– 5:11 PM

The son of a late billionaire testified today that he did not know until May 2007 that his father’s then-wife allegedly hired disgraced private eye Anthony Pellicano to wiretap telephone lines in the couple’s Beverly Hills residence nearly a decade earlier.

Richard W. Colburn told a Los Angeles Superior Court jury that he was unaware that someone had been listening to what he thought were private conversations when someone emailed him a story from The New York Times about Pellicano’s eavesdropping victims. Jacqueline Colburn allegedly sought Pellicano’s help in getting an edge in her divorce proceedings against Richard D. Colburn, according to the story.

“I felt violated,” he said. “I think over time I came to accept what had happened, but it still didn’t change the fact that what happened […]

Exec Security2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00October 20th, 2012|