[Exclusive] Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Core Technology, Attempted Leak by Internal Employee Detected (Comprehensive)

Confidential Semiconductor Data Leak Incident...Massive Access to Confidential Materials on Foundry Sector
Security Server Breach Reveals Large Volume of Confidential Data
Extensive Materials and Sophisticated Methods Raise Concerns of External Leakage

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jin-ho] Suspicious attempts to leak Samsung Electronics' core semiconductor technology have been detected. The technology in question is known to be in the semiconductor foundry sector, where global market competition is intensifying.

According to multiple sources on the 23rd, Samsung Electronics is currently investigating an employee in the foundry division who attempted to leak confidential semiconductor data. A source stated, "The suspicious activity was detected within a team in the foundry division," adding, "All members of the department, including the individual involved, are under investigation."

A Samsung Electronics official said, "It is true that we are investigating a case involving a violation related to information security."

The incident began when employee A accessed a large number of the company's confidential semiconductor files uploaded on the company's secure server. Samsung Electronics reportedly became suspicious after records showed that the employee viewed hundreds of semiconductor-related files in a single day and launched an investigation. The volume of files accessed was deemed too large to be considered routine work.

It is known that employee A photographed the accessed files using a mobile phone. Since Samsung Electronics' Remote Business System (RBS) does not allow screen captures, the employee displayed the files on the monitor and took pictures with a camera.

This case is considered an abuse of Samsung Electronics' work-from-home policy implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure employee safety. In fact, Samsung expanded the use of RBS, which was previously available only to some employees for external work, to cover those working remotely after the pandemic. RBS is a system that allows Samsung Electronics employees to access the company's work network from home or while on the move using smartphones or PCs. The employee was able to access confidential company data externally through this system.

The scope and importance of the data accessed by the employee are currently under investigation. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the data was leaked to other semiconductor companies, which is the greatest concern.

Within Samsung, there are concerns due to the large volume of data and the sophisticated methods used. It has been pointed out that collusion with semiconductor companies from other countries, such as China, cannot be ruled out. Another source said, "If there is evidence of leakage to foreign countries or other companies, formal legal action including reporting to investigative authorities may be taken instead of light punishment."

If the data is leaked to other semiconductor companies, the damage to Samsung Electronics could be significant. As the company is determined to achieve the number one position in system semiconductors by 2030, technology leaks in the foundry sector would be extremely problematic for Samsung Electronics. A semiconductor industry insider expressed concern, saying, "If information related to advanced fine processes such as 5-nanometer or below has been leaked, the problem could become even more serious." Globally, only Samsung Electronics and TSMC mass-produce 5-nanometer semiconductors.

Meanwhile, the possibility that the leaked information extends beyond the foundry sector to other semiconductor technologies cannot be excluded. In the DX (Device Experience) division, access to data from other departments is fundamentally blocked, but in the DS division, employees with higher authority or involvement in multiple projects are known to have greater access. This means that the importance and volume of leaked data may vary depending on employee A's rank and assigned tasks.