“Economic Espionage”

Click here to download the pdf flyer (162K).

Greg Curtis

DOE-Counterintelligence, Pacific Northwest Field Office, PNNL

March 6, 2012, Richland, Washington

This presentation promises to be engaging, interactive and humorous, in an effort to entertain as well as inform.

Economic espionage by foreign adversaries costs the United States, conservatively, 400 billion dollars annually. About 86% of the world’s intellectual property is developed within this country, yet we enjoy only 50% of the economic outfall of this resource. The other 36% is systematically and intentionally stolen by other countries competing with the United States in the world market.

By not having to provide the financial resources needed for research and development of new technology, these countries can produce and subsequently market the same product at greatly reduced costs as compared to the United States. Hence, the economic strength of this country is weakened, which manifests itself in a host of negative impacts to our well-being, as well as our national security. The tradecraft and operations involved in economic espionage are typically similar to those used by foreign spies to gain top-secret military and political information from the United States. In fact, much economic loss can be attributed to traditional intelligence gathering operations by foreign intelligence services.

About the Speaker:

After an indiscretionary adolescent period of social meandering and exploitation of parental resources, followed by academia semi-dysfunction at Washington State University, Greg Curtis began a pseudo-adult career in 1979 and served 19 years with Safeguards and Security for the Department of Energy Hanford Site, in a variety of disciplines and management positions including law enforcement, executive protection, criminal/security/internal investigations, foreign national visits and assignments, intelligence, and counterintelligence.

Greg has been directly involved in counterintelligence/counterterrorism (CI/CT) activities as a U.S. Department of Energy Counterintelligence Officer for the past 14 years. He has attended numerous United States Intelligence Community (USIC) CI/CT certification schools including those offered by the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and he is a graduate of the CI Centre for Counterintelligence Studies advanced course at Alexandria, Virginia. Greg initiated the PNNL CI Community Outreach program in 2005 and has since spoken to thousands of people involved in civic organizations, community involvement groups, and professional societies. He also teaches a 5-hour course on economic espionage to regional high school and college students.

Logistics

Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock, Richland, Washington

5:30 p.m. - Check in/Networking and no-host cocktail service
6:00 p.m. - Buffet Dinner
6:45 p.m. - Presentation

DINNER BUFFET MENU:
The Chef and crew at O’Callahan’s Restaurant always provide a fine and varied buffet dinner for us at the Shilo Inn. The buffet usually includes two entree choices, plus accompanying vegetable, a number of tasty salads, and a vegetable and/or fruit tray. Your choice of coffee, tea or decaf is included with dinner. And don’t forget to save room for dessert!

Cost:
$17 members
$20 non-members
$5 presentation only (be there by 6:45)

Reservations are required by March 1. Please send an e-mail to Deborah Coffey with your name, phone number, company affiliation, and type of reservation. Or call Deborah at (509) 375-5011.

NOTE: All no-shows will be billed unless canceled 48 hours in advance.