News copied from other online sources.

The Cat Who Couldn’t Spy: A CIA Fail

 News.Discovery.com   MAY 10, 2013
The CIA once recruited a feline agent to spy on enemies, according to a new book that sheds light on the elite cat and its abysmal failure during “Operation Acoustic Kitty.”

Emily Anthes, author of the new book “Frankenstein’s Cat”, told Discovery News that felines weren’t the only non-human field agents.

There were “cyborg insects as well as cyborg rats (called ratbots),” she said, adding that “there’s a long history of using dogs in military and police operations” with some of the dogs “outfitted with cameras and other sophisticated technological equipment.”

The U.S. military has also tried to use implants to control shark movements. Cat

Operation Acoustic Kitty, however, is one of the more memorable attempts to turn an animal into a spy. It took place in the 1960s.

“In an hour-long procedure, a veterinary surgeon transformed the furry feline into an […]

2013-05-13T21:27:11-04:00May 13th, 2013|
Read More

Never Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight: One Simple Weapon to Fight Economic Espionage in a Cyberspace World

In this article in the National Law Review, the bottom line is key:
The author states “Innumerable resources describe trade secrets best practices, but there is one straightforward, critical practice that companies routinely ignore:  Forensically audit all electronic devices of your departing employees.  The majority of private enterprise trade secret thefts are made by departing employees.  Most occur within one month of the employee’s departure. If possible, commence your audit not when the employee actually departs, but when the employee announces his or her departure.”

The writer emphasizes the risk of digital information being stolen, and also notes “non-cyber” methods of espionage. He did not mention however, the risks of interception of verbal information or communications. When performing audits of departing employees, or any other information security audit, a full TSCM sweep may be in order as well. —

Never Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight: One Simple […]

2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00May 5th, 2013|
Read More

Credit Suisse Alleges Espionage Against Former Employee

International Venture Capital Post; IVC POST | Marc Castro   Updated: May 04, 2013 

Credit Suisse Flag
The image is the frontage of the Credit Suisse corporate headquarters, whose recent performance in the bourse left much to be desired. (Photo : Reuters)

Credit Suisse Group AG has filed suit against its former vice president for emerging markets group on the grounds she stole confidential documents and trade secrets prior to her transfer to Goldman Sachs.

The complaint was filed in Manhattan state court against Agostina Pechi claiming she had sent highly sensitive and confidential information and documentation to her personal email account months before her date of resignation. The information included databases, client contact information and team sales targets.

Credit Suisse called it an ‘after hours document raid’ when she scheduled to be on furlough when the alleged illegal acts were committed related […]

2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00May 5th, 2013|
Read More

Symantec: Industrial espionage on the rise, SMBs a target

Symantec’s latest Internet Security Threat report suggests that SMBs remain an attractive target for those trying to steal intellectual property. 

Charlie Osborne  By  for Zero Day |

Security giant Symantec’s latest Internet Security Threat reportsays that attacks focused on stealing intellectual property surged by 42 percent in 2012 in comparison to the previous year.

Targeted cyberattacks based on IP theft are being conducted against both the manufacturing industry and smaller businesses, which are likely to have less income to invest in shoring up their defenses against attack. Symantec says that SMBs — with fewer than 250 employees — now account for 31 percent of targeted attacks, and are often seen as a means to gain access to larger firms through “watering hole” techniques.

The average number of targeted attacks has increased to an average of 116 per day, made popular by the Elderwood […]

2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00April 23rd, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00April 10th, 2013|
Read More

Protecting the Traveling Exec

Good advice from John Negus, VP of International Protection Group (www.IPGcompany.com) headquartered in NYC.

How to Protect the Traveling Exec- Seven tips for keeping your head honchos secure on the road

BY JOHN NEGUS   

In the world of private security, many have misconceived notions when it comes to traveling with an executive. As long as the travel is within the area you are licensed, you may be able to follow the same guidelines for day-to-day operations; however, traveling across state lines or overseas presents its own level of planning and coordination. John Negus

When an executive informs a protection specialist that they need to travel with them, some get lost in the glamour of the lifestyle. A common misconception is that when the client travels — especially for leisure — that the protector […]

2016-12-16T20:24:03-05:00March 12th, 2013|
Read More

Syria Alleges to Discover Israeli Spy Devices

from ABC News

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 […]

2013-03-08T10:47:25-05:00March 8th, 2013|
Read More

White House announces new strategy to fight theft of intellectual property

from the Verge

Effort will include diplomatic, law enforcement pressure
By T.C. Sottek on 

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 […]

2013-02-21T09:25:47-05:00February 21st, 2013|
Read More

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 magazine, 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  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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00February 19th, 2013|
Read More

“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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 27th, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 18th, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|
Read More

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

 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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 17th, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2013-01-03T00:26:20-05:00January 3rd, 2013|
Read More

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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00January 2nd, 2013|
Read More

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  – 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, […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00October 22nd, 2012|
Read More

Industrial espionage: is it tax deductible?

 British tribunal sees spying as a normal business expense…

Industrial espionage: It’s tax deductible

By  | 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 […]

2016-12-16T20:24:04-05:00October 20th, 2012|
Read More
Go to Top