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| Welcome to Wanjoo Metals |
HOME > CUSTOMER CENTER > NEWS |
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| TITLE |
Tech Leakage |
| WRITER |
administrator |
DATE |
2007-10-16 08:00:44 |
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Local Firms Take Bold Steps Against Industrial Espionage
The recent case of industrial espionage involving South Korea\'s top steelmaker POSCO has sent shockwaves through the country. It showed how local firms are caught off guard when it comes to illegal technology leakages to foreign companies. What\'s more shocking is that former researchers and workers of the firms have made such leakages. It is regrettable that most industrial espionage activities have taken place in search of money.
Investigators said Friday that POSCO\'s two former employees were arrested for leaking information concerning key steel manufacturing technologies to an unidentified Chinese company. Those arrested, an executive and a researcher, were involved in research and development at POSCO, the world\'s fourth-largest steelmaker. They are suspected of stealing 1,048 files and documents featuring core steelmaking technologies and operation know-how before quitting the firm in August last year. The suspects were found to have sold the information to POSCO\'s Chinese rival for 5 billion won in May.
The case came after four former and current employers of POSCO\'s computer and services unit, Posdata, were indicted for attempting to leak information concerning wireless broadband Internet service technology called WiBro in May. Posdata barely escaped the leakage because the suspects were caught before handing over the technology. The case rang alarm bells, not only for the company but also for the nation as a whole. However, it is quite disappointing that local companies have failed to take proper measures to prevent industrial espionage.
POSCO has come under criticism for doing nothing to fight against the possible leakage of its technologies, even after law enforcement authorities discovered the cited attempt. The saying goes: Lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. Of course, it is of no use to take belated action after the steed has bolted. But, how could POSCO sit on its hands after its subsidiary came close to falling victim to industrial espionage. Probably, management of the steel giant has only to wait until the leakage took place. Or it was too naive to believe that no one could steal its key technologies as they are top secret.
POSCO should bear in mind that it has incurred a huge loss from the leakage of the key steelmaking technologies which had been developed by 150 researchers with investment of 45 billion won over the last 10 years. Industrial experts estimate POSCO\'s loss will reach 2.8 trillion won over the next five years. What\'s more serious is that the loss cannot simply be estimated in terms of money. Local companies\' technological competitiveness edge might soon be eroded if industrial espionage is not brought under control.
The number of illegal technology leakages has continued to surge. The leakages have become more widespread, targeting not only information technologies but also carmaking, shipbuilding and steelmaking technologies. According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), a total of 92 technologies have been leaked over the last five years. The losses were estimated at 95.9 trillion won. The government and local firms will have to take revolutionary measures to prevent industrial espionage. It goes without saying that the nation\'s competitiveness depends on technology.
Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/opi_view.asp?newsIdx=11908&categoryCode=202 |
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