Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Up to 5 Million KRW Support Per Company
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] #The head of the research institute at medical software development company A suddenly resigned ahead of a new product launch. Before resigning, the research head deceived employees by claiming it was the CEO's order and copied technical data onto a personal external hard drive, leaking it. The research head used the stolen technology to pursue business with a competing Chinese company, causing damage to company A.
#An employee of small and medium-sized enterprise B leaked the company's business know-how related to a mobile phone knowledge information service technology to partner company C. Company C launched a similar service under a similar name, leading B to file a trademark rights confirmation trial lawsuit.
On the 15th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced it will promote a pilot project to support 'digital forensic analysis' so that SMEs suspected of technology leakage by former or internal employees can quickly secure evidence. Through the technology theft eradication project budget, digital forensic analysis costs will be supported from today until the end of this year.
Up to 5 million KRW per company will be supported for digital forensic analysis costs. This year, 7 to 8 companies will be supported on a pilot basis. The Ministry plans to expand the budget next year while reviewing the project’s performance.
A significant portion of technology leakage incidents in SMEs is caused by former or internal employees. Among the legal violation cases received by the 'Integrated Consultation Center for SME Technology Protection,' 54% were found to be caused by former or internal employees.
Even when technology leakage occurs, SMEs face difficulties in appropriate initial response due to lack of expertise and inadequate security management systems. In particular, most technology leakage happens through digital devices, and affected companies need to investigate to secure evidence before filing complaints or reports. The most efficient method for this is digital forensic analysis.
Digital forensics is a technique that analyzes various digital information stored on media such as PCs, laptops, and mobile phones or left online to find clues of technology leakage. Through digital forensic analysis, effective follow-up measures for technology leakage damage can be carried out. The Ministry plans to utilize this in active legal actions such as complaints, lawsuits, claims for damages, and requests for mediation or arbitration after technology leakage occurs.
SMEs suffering technology leakage damage caused by executives or employees can apply for support projects from the Foundation for Cooperation between Large, Small & Medium Enterprises and Agriculture & Fisheries for forensic analysis of their business digital devices.
The cooperation foundation will review the time of damage occurrence, damage details, and analysis targets, and plans to match affected SMEs one-on-one with specialized forensic companies (five companies to be selected on the 17th). They will conduct consultation, forensic collection, and analysis.
Lee Dongwon, head of the Technology Protection Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Affected companies can secure clear evidence through initial response using digital forensics and carry out follow-up measures effectively. Since this is a pilot project this year, we plan to operate the project in a direction desired by the field by reflecting SMEs’ opinions in the future."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
