Industrial counter-espionage - Ponzi Investigazioni

Ponzi Investigazioni > Corporate investigations > Industrial counter-espionage

Industrial counter-espionage: protection of strategic corporate informationAnti-Spionaggio industriale

A company’s strategic information — patents, production processes, client lists, market strategies — constitutes an intangible asset whose value often exceeds that of physical assets. Industrial espionage, which is a criminal offence in Italy, can occur through disloyal employees, unauthorised surveillance devices or targeted cyber attacks. Ponzi Intelligence protects this asset through counter-espionage investigations and technical sweeps, combining traditional investigative expertise with advanced technology.

Regulatory context

In Italy, trade secret protection rests on three regulatory pillars. The Industrial Property Code (Legislative Decree 30/2005, Articles 98-99) protects business information that is secret, has economic value and is subject to adequate protective measures. The Criminal Code sanctions the disclosure of confidential documents (Art. 621), breach of professional secrecy (Art. 622) and disclosure of industrial secrets (Art. 623, imprisonment up to 2 years). Art. 615-ter of the Criminal Code punishes unauthorised access to computer systems. Finally, Legislative Decree 63/2018, transposing EU Directive 2016/943, strengthened the protection of know-how and trade secrets by introducing specific civil remedies.

Phase 1:Vulnerability assessment: We analyse the corporate organisation, information flows, access protocols and existing physical and digital security measures to identify weaknesses.
Phase 2:Technical sweep (TSCM): We perform Technical Surveillance Countermeasures on offices, meeting rooms and company vehicles to detect bugs, hidden cameras, interception devices and unauthorised transmitters.
Phase 3:Behavioural analysis: We identify anomalies in staff behaviour: after-hours access, mass document downloads, unusual contacts with competitors, lifestyle changes.
Phase 4:Investigation and evidence gathering: We document identified espionage activities with objective evidence, in compliance with current regulations.
Phase 5:Countermeasures and protection plan: We propose a customised information security plan including access protocols, document classification policies and staff training.

SCENARIO 1

The information leak before product launch
A pharmaceutical company is developing an innovative medical device. A few months before the patent filing, a competitor submits a strikingly similar patent application. Ponzi conducts an internal analysis, identifies an external consultant with access to project files and documents the transmission of technical documentation to an email address traceable to the competitor.

SCENARIO 2

The compromised boardroom
The board of a financial holding company notices that information discussed in confidential strategic meetings systematically appears to reach a competing fund. Ponzi performs a TSCM sweep and discovers a miniaturised recording device installed in the boardroom's video conferencing system, placed during routine maintenance by an external technician.

SCENARIO 3

The data leak via personal cloud
A specialised manufacturing company discovers near-identical copies of its products appearing on the Asian market. Ponzi identifies that an R&D manager was systematically uploading CAD files and technical specifications to a personal cloud service, from which they were subsequently downloaded from a foreign IP. The investigation documents the complete data trail, from the corporate workstation to disclosure.

The pluses of the service

Certified technical sweep (TSCM)

360° vulnerability assessment

Customised information protection plan

Counter-espionage staff training

What's included in the service

What's includedphysical and digital vulnerability assessment, TSCM technical sweep, staff behavioural analysis, investigation and evidence gathering, customised protection plan, staff training.

What's NOT included:hacking or access to third-party systems, wiretapping (judicial authority competence), replacement of IT systems (for which we refer to qualified technical partners).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is industrial counter-espionage?

It is the set of activities aimed at identifying, preventing and countering attempts to gain unauthorised access to strategic corporate information. It includes technical sweeps (TSCM), vulnerability analysis, investigation of suspect personnel and implementation of countermeasures. In Italy, industrial espionage is a criminal offence under Articles 621-623 of the Criminal Code.

How can I tell if my company is being spied on?

Key signs include: unexplained loss of tenders or clients, leaks of confidential information (e.g. a competitor anticipating your moves), anomalous access to computer systems, unusual staff behaviour. Ponzi conducts a preliminary assessment to evaluate the risk level and recommend appropriate action.

What is a TSCM technical sweep?

TSCM (Technical Surveillance Countermeasures) is a specialist activity involving systematic inspection of premises (offices, meeting rooms, vehicles) to detect unauthorised interception devices: bugs, hidden cameras, recorders, radio and GSM transmitters. Ponzi performs sweeps with professional equipment and certified personnel.

Is trade secrecy protected by law?

Yes. Articles 98 and 99 of the Industrial Property Code protect business information that is secret, has economic value and is subject to adequate protective measures. Legislative Decree 63/2018 also transposed EU Directive 2016/943 on the protection of know-how and trade secrets. Breach is also criminally sanctioned (Art. 623 Criminal Code).

How much does a technical sweep cost?

The cost varies based on the size of the premises to be swept and the complexity of the intervention. Sweeping an executive office and meeting room is affordably priced and quickly executed. Ponzi provides a quote after a preliminary site visit.

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