Scholars have long viewed intelligence as the preserve of nation states. Where the term 'private sector intelligence' is used, the focus has been overwhelmingly on government contractors. As such, a crucial aspect of intelligence power has been overlooked: the use of intelligence by corporations to navigate and influence the world. Where there has been academic scrutiny of the field, it is seen as a post-9/11 phenomenon, and that a state monopoly of intelligence has been eroded. Beyond States and Spies demonstrates - through original research - that such a monopoly never existed. Private sector intelligence is at least as old as the organised intelligence activities of the nation state. The book offers a comparative examination of private and public intelligence, and makes a compelling case for understanding the dangers posed by unregulated intelligence in private hands. Overall, this casts new light on a hitherto under investigated academic space.
Lewis Sage-Passant is the Global Head of Intelligence at one of the world’s most valuable companies and researches in the field of intelligence and espionage.
Introduction: Audience-centricity, Risks, and Does Private Sector Intelligence Even Exist?Audience-centricityAn Inchoate FieldThe Risks of Risk IntelligenceDefinition Debates: Does Private Sector Intelligence Even Exist?StructureIntelligence Literature and the Methodology of StudyThe Long and the Short View LiteratureThe Intelligence Evolution LiteratureCorporate Espionage, Competitive, and Market Intelligence LiteratureThe Private Security LiteratureFieldwork: State of the FieldLimitationsEthical Grounding of the ResearchConclusionA History of Private Sector IntelligenceThe British East India CompanyLloyd's of LondonRothschildThe Pinkertons and Labour IntelligenceThe ONI and Russian Economic EspionageBüro HaMass Data and the Lightbulb CartelThe Red ScareUlius L. Amoss & the International Services of Information FoundationShell ScenariosThe NFLAramco and Control RisksGovernment Intelligence SupportOn Her Majesty's Secret Service?The Stratfor LeaksThe Snowden LeaksUber's Strategic Services GroupConclusionThe Intelligence Cycle in Private Sector Security IntelligenceDirection and Intelligence RequirementsCollection PracticesIntelligence SharingIntelligence Vendors in CollectionAnalysis PracticesDissemination PracticesSecrecy in Private Sector Security IntelligenceConclusionThe Applications of Private Sector Security IntelligenceRecruitmentTeam Structures and Job TitlesTopics of ResponsibilityPandemic IntelligenceGeopolitical RisksCountry Entry, Monitoring, and ExitsTravel Risk ManagementCrisis IntelligenceSpecifically-Targeted RisksTerrorismActivist IntelligenceModern Activist IntelligenceThe New SpiesThe Israeli FirmsDrawing the Ethical LineConclusionConclusion: A New Frontier for Intelligence StudiesBibliography
Beyond States and Spies corrects a neglected aspect of intelligence studies by exploring a long and colourful history of the private intelligence services. Sage-Passant offers a valuable addition to the literature by raising important ethical considerations as private intelligence outfits continue to proliferate.