Espionage is the practice of obtaining confidential information through spying; a practice that often employs covert, illegal, or unethical behavior. Cyber espionage is the unauthorized use of computer networks and other resources to access or transfer secret, classified, or sensitive information. It’s seen as a growing problem for governments, corporations, and individuals. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of cyber espionage, learn how cyber spies carry out their sophisticated operations, and dive into some steps you can take to protect your secret data.
Cyber espionage is constantly evolving in both complexity and hostility. According to one report, in 2018 alone, cyberattacks cost the U.S. government over $13 billion.
What is Cyber Espionage Used for?
Cyber espionage is primarily used as a means to gather sensitive or classified data, trade secrets or other forms of IP that can be used by the aggressor to create a competitive advantage or sold for financial gain. In some cases, the breach is simply intended to cause reputational harm to the victim by exposing private information or questionable business practices.
Cyber espionage attacks can be motivated by monetary gain; they may also be deployed in conjunction with military operations or as an act of cyber terrorism or cyber warfare. The impact of cyber espionage, particularly when it is part of a broader military or political campaign, can lead to disruption of public services and infrastructure, as well as loss of life.
Cyber Espionage Targets
The most common targets of cyber espionage include large corporations, government agencies, academic institutions, think tanks or other organizations that possess valuable IP and technical data that can create a competitive advantage for another organization or government. Targeted campaigns can also be waged against individuals, such as prominent political leaders and government officials, business executives and even celebrities.
Cyber spies most commonly attempt to access the following assets:
- Research & Development data and activity
- Academic research data
- Intellectual Property, such as product formulas or blueprints
- Salaries, bonus structures and other sensitive information regarding organizational finances and expenditures
- Client or customer lists and payment structures.
- Business goals, strategic plans and marketing tactics
- Political strategies, affiliations and communications
- Military intelligence