What is Counter Intelligence?

Counter Intelligence involves activities aimed at detecting and preventing unauthorized information gathering, including industrial espionage and cyberattacks. It protects organizations from competitors, hackers, and nation-state actors seeking to steal trade secrets or proprietary information.

In this ICI Impulse video, Rainer Michaeli, Director of the Institute for Competitive Intelligence (ICI), presents real-world examples of industrial espionage drawn from press coverage. While Competitive Intelligence (CI) professionals are not security experts, they play a vital role in identifying threats to a company’s competitive advantage, intellectual property, and market position. They work closely with security teams to assess risks and implement protective measures.

At a minimum, CI professionals should educate colleagues on avoiding social engineering tactics—especially during conferences or trade shows. The WWII slogan “Loose lips might sink ships” remains a relevant reminder of the dangers of sharing sensitive information with the wrong audience.

Watch the full video to discover how CI professionals contribute to corporate defense against (industrial) espionage.