Corporate espionage is becoming a significant concern for companies across industries. The recent court case between Appian and Pegasystems highlights the increasing interest in business espionage. Snooping is no longer limited to sensitive industries, but is now targeting smaller companies in various sectors. The growth of the intangible economy and the sophistication of online hackers contribute to the rise in corporate espionage. Protecting intellectual property and trade secrets has become more challenging in the digital age. Companies need to take proactive measures, such as conducting IP audits and seeking legal advice, to safeguard their secrets. Legislative protections for trade secrets have improved, but many firms still struggle to manage and articulate their secrets effectively. The threat of corporate espionage extends beyond rival companies; governments and insiders can also engage in spying activities. Overall, corporate espionage is a growing concern that requires attention and proactive measures from companies to mitigate the risks.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate espionage is entering a new era | From limited industries to general business risk | Increased focus on protecting trade secrets | Inexorable growth of intangible economy |
| Companies need to take it more seriously | Increased awareness and protection | More robust protection of trade secrets | Growing sophistication of online hackers |
| Interest in business espionage has broadened | Targeting smaller companies in surprising sectors | More industries and sectors are targeted | Inexorable growth of intangible economy |
| Snooping is no longer limited to sensitive industries | Targeting smaller companies in surprising sectors | More industries and sectors are targeted | Growing sophistication of online hackers |
| Digitization makes the problem thornier | More information worth stealing | Increased investment in cybersecurity measures | Increased investment in software |
| Legislative protections for trade secrets have grown stronger | Improved legal protections for trade secrets | More legal protections for trade secrets | Concerns about intellectual property theft |
| Many firms are poor managers of trade secrets | Increased demand for trade-secrets consultants | Improved management of trade secrets | Concerns about intellectual property theft |
| Taiwan and the US crack down on trade-secret theft | Stricter punishments for trade-secret theft | Decreased trade-secret theft | Concerns about intellectual property theft |
| Corporate spying can be legal and boring | Grey area of legal and questionable activity | Increased scrutiny and regulation | Desire for competitive advantage |
| Employee mobility and desperation increase spying tactics | More desperate tactics in downturns | Continued use of espionage tactics | Desire for competitive advantage |
| Geopolitical backdrop increases incentives for underhand activity | Increased underhand activity by states and proxies | Heightened economic espionage activities | Desire for competitive advantage |