Data Theft in German Companies: Billions in Losses Due to Illegal Data Outflow

For large, small, and medium-sized enterprises, our IHK-certified investigators at Kurtz Detective Agency Kiel and Schleswig-Holstein are deployed when it comes to identifying and bringing perpetrators to justice, as well as gathering legally admissible evidence in cases of espionage, data theft, data sales, bribery, and similar offences. We are happy to assist you as well: +49 431 3057 0053.

Communication Systems as Vulnerabilities

A 2015 study by the digital association Bitkom, examining data theft affecting German companies, revealed alarming results: the economic damage caused solely by illegal data outflows in Germany amounts to around 51 billion euros annually. The primary targets of offenders are the automotive sector (68 per cent), the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (66 per cent), and banks and insurance companies (60 per cent). Medium-sized enterprises are the most affected, as security measures are often still somewhat lax. Enormous damage can arise from espionage and sabotage by third parties or by the company’s own employees, and our experienced corporate detectives in Kiel and Schleswig-Holstein have made prevention and investigation their mission.

 

In most cases, a company’s IT system and communication technology are targeted: promotional gifts from sales representatives (for example, USB sticks) visiting your company, or carelessly opened phishing emails, give offenders access to sensitive electronic data. Above all, however, physical theft of communication and IT devices is the most common offence for illegally obtaining company data; even the mundane theft of printed documents counts as data theft. Counterfeiting and patent infringements are often the result. The IT specialists at Kurtz Detective Agency Kiel and Schleswig-Holstein help you optimise the security standards of your communication technology: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-kiel.de.

Loss of Reputation – When Customers No Longer Trust Your Company

In addition to issues such as hacking or eavesdropping, bribery of employees by competing companies can be a headache. Common and far from rare employee offences to the detriment of the employer include the theft of data carriers and documents, as well as sabotage of IT systems and operational processes. Beyond financial damage and loss of intellectual property, reputational harm of enormous magnitude can occur. Who trusts a company that demonstrably lacks adequate data security, especially after suffering losses due to data outflow?

 

For this reason, companies often avoid reporting incidents to official authorities and prefer the matter to be handled discreetly. Our detectives in Kiel and Schleswig-Holstein not only possess the necessary expertise to investigate industrial espionage but also operate meticulously, professionally, and with the utmost discretion. Following an incident, we identify perpetrators – among other methods, by tracking data – secure stolen data carriers where applicable, and are often able to restore lost data resulting from sabotage.

Demonstrate Foresight and Act Preventively: Security Measures to Avoid Damage

As a business owner, you can already take many preventive steps to achieve a high level of data security:

 

• Raising employee awareness about handling company data
• Limiting access rights for individual employees
• Changing passwords at short, irregular intervals
• Backing up data on external computers

 

To provide you with the highest possible level of data security, Kurtz Detective Agency Kiel and Schleswig-Holstein also work proactively in three main areas:

 

• Optimising IT security through trained IT specialists
• Creating individually tailored security concepts against intrusion and physical theft
• Designing a secure room for confidential conversations, as well as inspecting existing premises, devices, and vehicles for hidden surveillance technology by eavesdropping protection specialists

 

Contact our experts confidently at +49 431 3057 0053 or via our contact form.