aUTHORED BY dR. tOM gROOMS
“Whisper Intelligence” Part II of V
To communicate very softly, quietly
and cautiously a secret or confidentiality undetected is to “whisper
intelligence”.
Unauthorized access to business information has
traditionally been handled by physical security safeguards, computer security
lifeguards, and proprietary safe-guard methods. Depending solely on these
techniques to protect information presents challenges. These disciplines are
often under the control of separate parts of the organization. The security
department provides security officers, access control, and perimeter barriers.
The marketing information systems are responsible for proprietary and research
data protection, management information systems department is responsible for
computer security, and anyone from human resources to administration could be
responsible for the proprietary safeguarding program.
A lack of central control has left potential
vulnerabilities in current proprietary safeguarding efforts. Worse still is
that these efforts do not confront the realities that modern companies are
facing when operating in a competitive society. According to the FBI and CIA,
foreign targeting of American technology and trade secrets continue. There seems
to be growing evidence that foreign governments may be increasing their efforts
to monitor and acquire sensitive information developed in the
The central control fulfillment is met today
more effectively with the organization of market intelligence. The intelligence
oversight is a market intelligence function. This is not marketing intelligence
or competitive intelligence. This is just one of the many advantages and
purposes of a market intelligence system. Market intelligence is the thread
that intertwines all the other types of intelligence into a manageable systems
tool at the direction of the CEO.
For instance in a merger or acquisition, the
collaborative approach to information security is interesting. Collaboration in
itself is not surrendering to your competitor. You just have to be sure that
you are not divulging information that can come back to bite you. Gate keeping
is the key and that has to be explained to employees, especially if there is
learning involved. Initiative fatigue is the result of not developing a serious
intelligence strategy.
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