Corporate espionage is big business and, according to the FBI, such thefts cost U.S. companies between $24 billion and $100 billion annually. Corporate America recognizes the need to protect itself from foreign targeting and foreign competitors but, to protect itself, it needs more than security. A company must know who is targeting what -- which countries are aggressively engaged in collection activities; what information or technology they are interested in obtaining; and what techniques they are using (ranging from unsolicited e-mails about sensitive technologies to domestic-based front companies) to collect this information. With an effective CI program, companies can then craft a strategy – together with United States Intelligence Community (USIC) partners - to prevent the loss of information or technology and minimize any damage already done.

To this end, the FBI has identified a group of regional industry partners willing to participate with the USIC in CI information sharing. These industry partners have joined with the FBI, the Defense Security Service (DSS), and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) to form a public/private CI working group. These companies are willing to provide relevant CI information to the USIC, and they are eager to receive technology-specific, country-specific, and technique-specific threat information and assessments which would enable them to take action to reduce their vulnerabilities and protect their sensitive and proprietary information.

CSM serves as the facilitator/project manager for this pilot. CSM is currently a consultant to the FBI for counterintelligence strategy, and a consultant to the NCIS for strategy and information sharing. This CI Information Sharing Program is being modeled on the successful Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX) Program, deployed by NCIS in nine regions across the country.