aUTHORED BY dR. tOM gROOMS
“Whisper Intelligence” Part IV of V
To communicate very softly, quietly and cautiously a secret
or confidentiality undetected is to “whisper intelligence”.
An effective market intelligence security program addresses
each risk presented cost-effectively without inhibiting at the same time the
free flow of intelligence information among those within the organization who
could benefit from it. Some objectives of such a market intelligence program
are to prevent accidental disclosure, detect attempts at penetration, provide
evidence for court action, and keep proprietary information and trade secrets
confidential. This is a prerequisite for litigation and protection against a
potential threat from disloyal employees, former employees or others who obtain
private information illegally.
The foundation of an effective market intelligence security
program is CEO directed. It is key the CEO communicate
what is needed. The elements of such a visual program might include:
a governance policy and procedure
that documents the expectations of employees;
nondisclosure agreements;
disclosing and releasing information;
unauthorized verbal and visual disclosure;
employee awareness education and motivation
program;
administrator guidelines;
proprietary information identifying and
handling of documents and material received from others;
marking videotapes, protecting fax
messages, using cellular phones, and leaving voice mail;
traveling and off-site security;
controlling access to sensitive areas and
computer data, secure storage and transmittal of proprietary documents and
materials;
providing access to information based on
"need to know";
proper retention, declassification and
reclassification;
disposal or destruction of deceased
documents;
review of technical or marketing
sensitive papers prior to submittal for publication;
exit interviews;
debriefings; and
consistent enforcement of protective
measures.
These are a few of the factors cited in numerous judgments
of the courts as to what constitutes "reasonable and prudent" efforts
at maintaining secrecy for which the CEO is responsible.
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