Be aware of economic espionage

  • Published
  • By Special Agent Kristen Gaulin
  • AFOSI Detachment 102
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Economic espionage is not a new threat, but it is one that Hanscom personnel should be especially aware of.

Hanscom encompasses an especially target-rich environment: home to the Electronic Systems Center and MIT Lincoln Labs. The base is also surrounded by major technology industries and high-profile universities like MIT, Harvard and Boston University. Foreign countries seek access to students, diplomats, businessmen, defense contractors and scientists to collect information on cutting-edge Air Force programs.

According to the National Counterintelligence Center, estimates of current yearly U.S. loss of proprietary business information now range between $20 billion and $100 billion. However, personnel can help prevent this from happening in the Air Force.

The collection of U.S. and Air Force-protected information is most commonly accomplished through the exploitation of personal relationships, bribery and computer hacking. Most Americans tend to be polite and want to appear well-informed, but inadvertently may disclose information to someone who does not necessarily have a "need to know." Awareness of the prevalence of economic espionage and common espionage schemes is the best way to stay protected and to protect program information.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) can help increase knowledge and awareness of the dangers that exist, in large part through AFOSI's travel briefing and debriefing program. Agents conduct extensive research specific to the reason for travel, as well as obtain the relevant foreign, terrorist and criminal threats. While some travel destinations do not require an in-person briefing, AFOSI offers an informative presentation on Centernet, viewable upon indicating overseas travel.

In order to guarantee preparedness and for agents to assist a person in receiving the most relevant briefing, the pre-briefing and debriefing surveys need to be completed in a timely manner.

To complete the survey, go to Centernet, navigate to the AFOSI section located in the lower right-hand corner and click on either foreign travel pre-brief or foreign travel debrief. These surveys capture all the relevant information prior to and upon return from travel.

Further questions may be directed to Special Agent Kristen Gaulin at 781-225-5861 or kristen.gaulin@ogn.af.mil.