Theft of Research Contents | Counter-Espionage

Development documentation, construction plans, manufacturing information – data of great interest and value to external thieves, rival companies, and disloyal employees. On behalf of affected research institutes and companies, Kurtz Investigations Bielefeld undertakes the clarification of information theft and the identification of offenders: +49 521 2567 0055.

Bielefeld IT experts tracing the perpetrators through the virtual realm

Bielefeld is a city of science and innovation, of education and schools. Study conditions are considered excellent even in comparison with more traditional universities, and the networks between science, urban development, business, culture, and educational institutions are exemplary. Consequently, Bielefeld’s universities have no need to shy away from national or international comparison. However, the close connection between science and business also carries the risk of data theft and, as a result, patent-law violations. Outsiders gain access to sensitive data through targeted hacking attacks, spyware in emails, physical theft of documents, or the installation of eavesdropping and image-recording devices in company premises. Even seemingly old-fashioned methods such as photographing or copying documents and listening in on phone calls remain among the most frequently used ways of unlawfully acquiring protected information. Research results that have taken years to achieve can thus end up in the hands of competitors within a very short time.

Prompt investigation of the circumstances of the offence is of the highest priority not only for the affected companies and institutes but also for our IHK-certified detectives and academically trained IT specialists in Bielefeld. In the event of a loss, please contact our commercial investigation agency as soon as possible. Use our contact form or call us for a non-binding consultation.

Prevention and damage limitation

In many cases, a company’s own employees are involved in data theft. They sell stolen ideas, research results, and design data to interested competitors (bribery) or use them for their own careers (as a convenient source of income in self-employment or as purported products of their own work to enhance their reputation). The bribability of one’s own employees is usually only noticed or suspected once damage has already occurred. The limited group of persons with access to sensitive data normally enjoys the trust of management for many years – precisely those employees are least suspected of disloyal behaviour. Nonetheless, once there is an initial suspicion, swift action is essential to protect your intellectual property and prevent the employee concerned from committing further offences. The experienced business detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld identify the "leak" through surveillance, legendary interviews, or – in cooperation with our IT specialists – by tracing virtual data movements during the relevant period.

But as we all know, prevention is better than cure, and so it is advisable to have our experts work proactively to counteract undesirable data leaks. Checking company and research premises for illegally installed recording devices is part of this, as is developing and implementing a security concept against break-ins. Furthermore, IT-forensic examinations of your computers and mobile data carriers, including the implementation of a specific IT security plan, ensure the detection or prevention of digital data leaks. Our qualified detectives will be happy to advise you comprehensively on both preventive measures and investigative options in the event of loss. Send your enquiry to kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de or call us at +49 521 2567 0055.