[Exclusive] Samsung Electronics Caught Attempting to 'Leak' Core Semiconductor Technology

Confidential Semiconductor Data Leak Incident Occurs
Massive Access to Confidential Materials on Secure Server
Large Volume and Sophisticated Methods Raise Concerns of External Leakage

Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus Building.

[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 related to 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 representative confirmed, "It is true that an investigation is underway due to 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. The volume of files accessed was deemed too large to be considered routine work.

It is known that employee A used a mobile phone to photograph the files. 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 the work-from-home system Samsung 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 all employees working remotely after the pandemic. RBS is a system that allows Samsung Electronics employees to access the company’s internal 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 information was leaked to other semiconductor companies or entities, which is the greatest concern.

Within Samsung, there are concerns due to the large volume of data and the sophisticated methods used. There are also suggestions that collusion with semiconductor companies from other countries, such as China, cannot be ruled out. Another source stated, "If there is evidence of leaks to foreign countries or other companies, formal legal action including reporting to investigative authorities may be taken rather than light punishment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.