German Firms Scramble to Boost Data Protection

German companies are reviewing procedures on data and communications, rapidly trying to improve security to prevent industrial espionage. Corporate security is already tight in Germany, reports Spiegel, with policies that include executives using disposable phones during travel, putting phones into tin cans during meetings, regularly sweeping corporate planes and conference rooms for bugs, and prohibiting offsite access to work email. New policies include hand delivery of documents. “After the revelations of large-scale data mining by the United States, German managers have become even more nervous about data security,” notes Spiegel. A board member of the German Association for Security in Industry and Commerce worries that “that US intelligence agencies are working hand-in-hand with consultants from the private sector.” Another official questions whether the US National Security Agency might leave deceptive tracks to point blame toward China. No evidence of US abuse of foreign corporate data has been found. Smaller companies are scrambling to improve security, too, and question the privacy features of US tech products and services like Skype. – YaleGlobal

German Firms Scramble to Boost Data Protection

German companies have long suspected China and Russia of trying to steal secrets, but the NSA scandal has turned their attention west
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
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