Some of these statements include charges of collusion between the local telephone service and the national intelligence service. Many countries have the capacity to eavesdrop on transatlantic and transpacific communications, including phone and fax. Other means by which they can gain access to sensitive information is by covertly bugging and breaking into hotel rooms, hacking into computer databases, physically stealing computers, infiltrating personnel into companies, appealing to employee nationality, threats, coercion and bribery. Any data can be targeted if it has an economic or strategic value. Travel Plans When making plans to travel be aware that there is a possibility that a foreign intelligence service or a foreign interest, may have taken notice of your travel plans.
Some countries monitor businesspeople of interest who travel overseas.
Some competitors are interested in the overseas meetings that take place between businesspeople and prospective partners. Valuable information can be obtained through seemingly innocuous conversations that take place en route to a business destination. There are public reports of aircraft being bugged. Stewards may be overhearing conversations that they should not be privy to. An individual who takes an active interest in your company or its products may not simply be an overly inquisitive student or scientist.