The issue of internal leaks is at the forefront of security concerns for all major corporations but especially tech companies today. These may come from leaked documents but also from deliberate eavesdropping efforts such as from overheard conversations and unauthorized audio or video recordings. The pleasing, open atmosphere found at many technology companies doesn’t help security, so we see many of them needing to tighten up there security efforts at preventing leaks and corporate espionage. Unfortunately, many in the workplace do not understand the seriousness of the problem and the damage that can be done, or perhaps in some cases they do understand and are acting as willing spies.

Private Meeting, Insider Threat SecurityLeak of leak-memo

An article by Jeremy Horwitz at Venture Beat outlines a number of concerns at Apple regarding, ironically, a leak of a memo about the threat from leaks.

For the second time in a year, Apple has issued a warning to “leaking” employees, only for the warning to leak to the public. Taking the form of a news story-like internal memo, the warning comes nearly six years after Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed that Apple would “double down on secrecy on products,” only to see major leaks continue each year.

The dark new memo sharply contrasts with the company’s typically sunny public face, describing Apple’s efforts to catch and fire leakers who have “betrayed” the company’s trust. After warning employees that they’re “getting played” by outsiders looking for information, the memo threatens leakers with the loss of jobs, the possibility of arrests or fines, and “extreme difficulty finding employment elsewhere.” It notes that Apple caught 29 leakers in 2017, including employees, contractors, and partners in its supply chain…

“We want the chance to tell our customers why the product is great,” Greg Joswiak, vice president of product marketing, says in the memo, “and not have that done poorly by someone else.”

Real-time threat from audio recordings

…In June, a similar warning to employees leaked in the form of an audio recording obtained by The Outline. Described as coming from a private briefing that “was the first of many Apple is planning to host for employees,” the recording included a “keep [your] mouth shut” video, behind-the-scenes details from investigations, and Apple internal investigators spotlighting their military and legal credentials. 

Tech concerns- Facebook, Google, Apple

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported the following:

The crackdown is part of broader and long-running attempts by Silicon Valley technology companies to track and limit what information their employees share publicly. Firms like Google and Facebook Inc. are pretty open with staff about their plans, but keep close tabs on their outside communications and sometime fire people when they find leaks.

Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg last week talked about her disappointment with leakers. In 2016, Google fired an employee after the person shared internal posts criticizing an executive. The employee filed a lawsuit claiming their speech was protected under California law.

…Last month, Apple caught and fired the employee responsible for leaking details from an internal, confidential meeting about Apple’s software roadmap. Hundreds of software engineers were in attendance, and thousands more within the organization received details of its proceedings. One person betrayed their trust.

The employee who leaked the meeting to a reporter later told Apple investigators that he did it because he thought he wouldn’t be discovered. But people who leak — whether they’re Apple employees, contractors or suppliers — do get caught and they’re getting caught faster than ever.

Need for electronic sweeps

All valuable, highly confidential data in every organization has its beginnings in verbal conversations and meetings.  Professional TSCM sweeps and real-time signal analysis play a necessary role in securing that information and preventing damaging leaks. Cyber security and physical security are important and provide a foundation for securing data that is stored on the network and in filing cabinets. Meetings, conversations, and phone calls, though, are an active, real-time concern that require professional electronic sweeps to protect the information, plug leaks, and maintain confidentiality.

Business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, product development, even hiring and firing of executives; all aspects of business become a target of disgruntled employees, corporate spies, and industrial espionage. If you do not have TSCM inspections regularly performed, you are leaving a gaping hole for confidential information to pass through, putting your company at risk.

 

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