9 Potential Signs of Corporate Espionage
t's a challenge knowing when and how competitors steal secret business information.
By | Warith Niallah | www.entrepreneur.com
If you suspect that your business has been a target of corporate espionage, it’s essential to take action immediately — from doing an in-house investigation to hiring a private professional. If you see any of the below signs, don’t ignore them, but also take care not to make any unfounded accusations or statements. Keep your thoughts closely held and get the evidence first.
1. Unexplained or sudden changes in practices
When staff members suddenly change how they execute established business practices, this could signify that they are also working for someone else. (Keep in mind that there could be other reasons as well.) And if you see an employee suddenly working more hours or coming in on the weekends, this could be additional cause for concern, as corporate spies may try to cover their tracks by doing this illicit work when they know they are less likely to be watched. So, when there are unexplained changes in behavior, and particularly when people act strangely when asked questions about them, take notice.
2. Changes in business relationships
If you stop working with a business partner and there is no apparent reason why, this could be because that person is involved in corporate espionage against your company. (Keep in mind that such a change is typically sudden.)
