FBI Engages Private Sector to Counter Economic Espionage


April 1, 2016

The number of FBI economic espionage cases jumped by 40 percent between 2015 and this year.


Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The number of FBI economic espionage cases jumped by 40 percent between 2015 and this year.

Deputy Assistant Director for the Counterintelligence Division Robert Jones…

Robert Jones: We see every sector being attacked by intelligence services or foreign actors for theft of state secrets and economic espionage. We see it in heavy equipment, we see it in pharmaceuticals, agricultural products—it sort of spans the entire range of economic interests inside the United States.

Halpern: One way the FBI is countering the crime is through partnerships with businesses, academia, and other organizations.

Jones: If you’re a new business leader or business owner and you want to make sure that your recipe for your secret sauce is protected, probably the best thing to do is to make sure you have a robust, thriving relationship with your local FBI office.

Halpern: Through these relationships, ideas, information, and best practices are exchanged to protect companies’ proprietary property.

Jones: The FBI is ready and willing to help any organization that wants to come to us for consultations or partnership. And we’re here for you.

Halpern: Contact your local FBI field office to learn how to participate. With FBI, This Week, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.

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