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Competitor Intelligence: Can You Plug the Leaks?

NCJ Number
119565
Journal
Security Management Volume: 33 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1989) Pages: 84-87
Author(s)
L M Fuld
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Although intelligence "leaks" that can help a business competitor are inevitable, such leaks can be curtailed via effective security measures.
Abstract
Leaks inevitably occur through gossip at trade shows, papers presented at technical conferences, help-wanted advertisements, discussions among business associates on airplanes, supplier knowledge, sales pitches, company press releases, and off-site relationships and activities. Although employees may not be aware that the information they are offering in public places can be used to advance a competitor's business at the expense of their own company, bits of seemingly harmless information can be pieced together by a competitor to undermine a company's market strategy and reduce the distinctiveness or market impact of a new product. Some ways to reduce such leaks are to review public relations documents or any other public documents the firm releases to the public, eliminate noncompliance information from filings, conduct employee security-awareness programs, and brief employees before they attend trade shows.