Annual Report to Congress on Foreign Economic Collection and Industrial Espionage: 1996
Abstract
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 requires that the President annually submit to Congress updated information on the threat to U.S. industry from foreign economic collection and industrial espionage. This document updates the first "Annual Report to Congress on Foreign Economic Collection and Industrial Espionage 1995," which was released in July 1995. Contributors noted little new in the origin of the threat, collection targets, or methods used in effecting economic collection and industrial espionage. Analysis of updated information reported by U.S. counterintelligence agencies indicates that individuals, corporations, or government entities associated with at least 12 countries are assessed to be actively targeting U.S. proprietary economic information and critical technologies. This includes all of the 10 countries previously identified in the 1995 Annual Report. The 12 countries assessed to be actively collecting against U.S. interests have shown particular determination, and in most cases a willingness to use illegal and covert means, to collect U.S. economic and technological information. Inquiries and investigations of suspicious incidents have increased significantly; there are tentative indications of an expansion of nontraditional collection targeting U.S. industry. Foreign collection continues to focus on economic and S&T information and products. U.S. Defense investigators noted a primary focus on information systems technology. Foreign government and commercial collection continues to focus on dual-use technologies. Overt, open-source, and legal collection methods are most evident, but reliance on illegal, covert, and traditional espionage methods has not abated. Analysis suggests venues of collection efforts may be in flux as communications proliferate and marketplace expansion continues. These developments will provide more opportunities to access targeted information and technologies in the United States and globally.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA465105