Safeguarding intellectual property (IP) is crucial for nurturing innovation, sustaining economic growth, and fostering healthy competition among businesses and academic institutions. In emerging economies, the rapid expansion of knowledge-intensive sectors has prompted governments to emphasise protecting intellectual property. However, universities and commercial entities now face an escalating risk from state-sponsored cyber theft, specifically the illicit acquisition of commercially valuable data for competitive advantage—called economic cyber-espionage.
This practice poses a persistent economic threat to emerging economies, potentially undermining domestic innovation, deterring foreign investment, and weakening small and medium-sized enterprises in knowledge-intensive fields. While technologically advanced economies are traditionally primary targets for economic espionage, a mounting body of evidence indicates that numerous emerging economies, including those in Southeast Asia and India, are becoming increasingly susceptible.
The panel will delve into the global challenges posed by economic cyber-espionage worldwide, focusing on its impact on countries such as India, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Speakers will explore the evolving perspectives on this unique cybersecurity threat within their nations, highlight specific economic cyber-espionage affecting their countries, and assess the extent to which their governments are vulnerable to and resilient against this growing threat.
Our distinguished panel of experts will unravel the multifaceted dimensions of cyber espionage, exploring how nation-states leverage digital tools to gain economic advantages, influence global markets, and shape geopolitical landscapes. From advanced persistent threats targeting critical infrastructure to the covert theft of intellectual property, the discussion will shed light on the evolving tactics employed by state actors in the cyber realm.
