Corporate Intelligence Awareness

News - The International Blackberry Monitoring Saga - A desperate security breach revealed?

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:23:51 GMT

The current fuss about which governments will or will not ban/unban/reprieve the use of encrypted Blackberry technology has featured widely in media coverage in last while!

The important corollary that seems to have gone unmentioned is the fact that these governments are tacitly saying they are monitoring every other wireless communication…With impunity?

Then on the same page, we read breathless articles touting the fact that company employees can instantly receive up to date business intelligence reports on their handheld devices… Is it naïve to think that perhaps we are blind to a massive security risk that transcends company, industry and national boundaries?

News - Intelligence Gathering: The Toyota recall saga: Looking for cause rather than reading symptoms?

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:46:27 GMT

The Toyota recall saga continues. Now it appears steering problems are cause for concern.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/-Toyota+warns+possible+steering+problem/3336434/story.html

Reliance on technology to the exclusion of human checks and balances belies the fact that people design and program technology! Does it not then follow that both people and technology have the capacity for error and imperfection?

The following link explores the possibility that part of Toyota's problem lies in reliance on imperfect software simulations – Mainstream media doesn’t seem keen on picking up the story…?

http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/dassault-blames-toyotas-problems-on-simulation.html

- Intelligence… Influence Peddling & Infiltration

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:37:08 GMT

This interesting article provides a wake-up call!

In the pursuit of profit/getting ahead, unthinking networking and critical information sharing can be catastrophic. This is especially so when we naively forget or ignore the agendas of others.

Doing business or running a government requires an ongoing caution that hones a fine balance between naiveté and paranoia!

Be conscious of what information/data is allowed to walk out the door!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/fadden-raises-espionage-alarm/article1614071/

- Acting on Intelligence ... in Time

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:58:49 GMT

The recent Testalinden Lake flood and mudslide disaster in Oliver BC provides a clear illustration of the frustration that can be experienced by a conscientious team member who points out what might happen, yet is ignored by decision-makers.

A hiker spotted cracks and rising water in the earth wall of the lake several days before the disaster occurred. Diligently reporting his concerns to the nearest authority, the intelligence reached the RCMP and eventually the relevant provincial body.

No action was taken presumably because there was no real proof of imminent danger. Yet once the disaster happened, the full attention on the incident was secured at provincial, municipal and media level … Only when intelligence had become information! The inspection of all dams in the province will now take place.

So too in business, how often don’t we hear the phrases: “Who else is doing this?” “Come back when you can prove it” “Show me guaranteed ROI” - In such environments it is quite pointless to then talk of securing the competitive edge!

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/ +were+warned+days+before+Oliver+slide/3164098/story.html

- Michael Burry - Comptetitive Intelligence and the value of silence

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:33:19 GMT

The media is full of the exciting story of how Michael Burry, a medical surgeon turned stock-market investor and hedge-fund manager, recognized how he might short, or bet against, subprime-mortgage bonds, making millions for himself and his investors.

The Intelligence lesson behind this fascinating story is that Burry read market clues that indicated sub prime mortgage lenders were taking greater risks than borrowers. If he was right the bubble would burst.

Burry read the clues, formulated an uncertain theory, developed a strategy and implemented a plan that evolved over several years.

Importantly, he kept his mouth shut! This is a critical element of making intelligence work… if competitive advantage is to be secured…Seeing what others have failed to see, taking full advantage of the situation… and making sure things stay that way!

Burry’s brilliant clue interpretation, insights and courageous action are now exposed in the public domain for all to discuss and dissect – All that remains of strategic intelligence advantage is a good story… Information & data!