University: Lecturer: Course: Date: The differences and similarities between industrial and economic espionage industrial espionage refers to an attempt to access information about a companys plan, products, clients or their trade secrets. It happens when rival companies want to find out another companys performance. It is illegal and punishable in courts. (Tricia 2009).
Economic espionage occurs on a much grander scale, sometimes involving entire states against others. It is because of its much more urgent implications that the economic espionage act was passed in 1996 to try and protect US (Dave, 2003).
During mid 2003 there were approximately 40 prosecutions performed by the department of justice under the economic espionage act. Hundreds other cases were under FBI.
More businesses have reported economic espionage. Its rates of occurrence have increased due to technological advancements (Dave, 2003).
Unlike economic espionage, industrial espionage has existed for a much longer time. Most companies expect other companies to practice industrial espionage against them. This form of espionage has proved difficult to deal with since most companies and individuals are not caught. (Tricia 2009).
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The perpetrators of economic espionage are the commercial enterprises and the foreign governments.
They both use techniques of accessing trade secrets, both legally and illegally. They employ experienced collectors who know how to obtain trade secrets illegally. Libraries and the internet are used as legal means (Dave, 2003).
There are many companies worldwide perpetrating industrial espionage. A person who works for the company is bribed, coerced or blackmailed in order to give information. A recently fired employee is also used to give information for a certain price. Recently, hacking into computer systems have been is used to gain access to a companys information (Tricia 2009).
Besides all the notable differences, there are some similarities between the two espionages.
Both are crimes related to private property in the trade industry. They are both illegal and punishable by law. Both cases are now becoming a threat to the society due to technological advancements. Sources cited Dave Drab, (2003).
Economic espionage and the trade secret theft: defending against the pickpockets of the new millennium. Retrieved on 19th July 2009 from http://www.xerox.com/downloads/wpaper/x/xgs_busine ss_insight_economic_espionage.pdf Tricia Ellis-Christensen (2009) what is industrial espionage.
Retrieved on 19th July 2009 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-industrial-espiona ge.htm.
