Editing Industrial espionage (section)

==Agents and the process of collection==

Economic or industrial espionage commonly occurs in one of two ways. Firstly, a [[Disappointment|dissatisfied]] [[Employment|employee]] appropriates information to advance interests or to damage the company. Secondly, a competitor or foreign government seeks information to advance its own technological or financial interest.{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=7}} "[[Mole (espionage)|Moles]]", or trusted [[Insider threat|insiders]], are generally considered the best sources for economic or industrial espionage.{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|pp=80-81}} Historically known as a "patsy", an insider can be induced, willingly or under [[Coercion|duress]], to provide information. A patsy may be initially asked to hand over inconsequential information and, once compromised by committing a [[crime]], [[blackmail]]ed into handing over more [[Classified information|sensitive material]].{{sfn|Palmer|1974|p=12}} Individuals may leave one company to take up employment with another and take [[Information sensitivity|sensitive information]] with them.{{sfn|Reuters|1996}} Such apparent behavior has been the focus of numerous industrial espionage cases that have resulted in legal battles.{{sfn|Reuters|1996}} Some countries hire individuals to do spying rather than the use of their own [[Intelligence agency|intelligence agencies]].{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=80}} [[Academy|Academics]], business delegates, and [[student]]s are often thought to be used by governments in gathering information.{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=88}} Some countries, such as [[Japan]], have been reported to expect students to be [[Debriefing|debriefed]] on returning home.{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=88}} A spy may follow a [[Tour guide|guided tour]] of a [[factory]] and then get "lost".{{sfn|Palmer|1974|p=12}} A spy could be an [[engineer]], a [[Maintenance|maintenance man]], a [[cleaner]], an [[Insurance broker|insurance salesman]], or an [[inspector]]: anyone who has legitimate access to the premises.{{sfn|Palmer|1974|p=12}}

A spy may [[Trespass|break into]] the premises to [[Theft|steal]] [[data]] and may search through [[Paper recycling|waste paper]] and [[Waste|refuse]], known as "[[dumpster diving]]".{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=82}} Information may be compromised via unsolicited requests for information, [[Survey (human research)|marketing surveys]], or use of technical support or research or software facilities. [[Outsourcing|Outsourced]] industrial producers may ask for information outside the agreed-upon [[contract]].{{sfn|Nasheri|2005|p=84}}

[[Computer]]s have facilitated the process of collecting information because of the ease of access to large amounts of information through physical contact or the [[Internet]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=What are the advantages of using a computer?|url=https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001798.htm|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.computerhope.com|language=en}}</ref>