Like in the other walks of life it has made tasks of spies and agents performing covert intelligence operation easier by providing fast accessibility to required data. Spying may be the oldest profession, but it has been quick to adopt the technology of internet. It is executed by gathering confidential information and trade secrets using illicit means including electronic eavesdropping, technical surveillance, open source intelligence and human intelligence. The book cites over 100 billion dollar loss per year to U.S. Moreover, its significance can be gauged with a fact that in times of economic crisis when companies were battling to survive, corporate espionage remained recession proof and continued to operate.Ĭorporate espionage is indeed one of the rapidly growing challenges corporations are confronting. Thus, corporate espionage is a never-ending enigmatic threat to firms and nations. While emphasizing its importance, he adds that in present era of hyper-competitive business world, companies which conduct and pursue intelligence operations have a noticeable advantage over those who do not. The author highlights the reasons for its presence and also recommends means to mitigate them. This growing threat is omnipresent around the world however, these private covert operations are more directed towards United States. It provides in-depth analysis of modern private sector intelligence practices and illustrates how cyber-criminals gather information from secure systems. The book, The Grey Line: Modern Corporate Espionage and Counter Intelligence focuses on a comprehensive study of state-sponsored corporate intelligence programs. It is changing the dynamics and operations of modern global business world. Undoubtedly, the domain has opened new predicaments in corporate world and is influencing the economic and political connections between nation states. With the advent of internet, cyber criminals have become more cognizant and skilled at exploiting corporate weaknesses, to attain valuable business information using latest technology and tools.

However, in recent year, the world has moved into a new domain i.e. Thus, corporate espionage is a risk to any business whose occupation relies on information and data. As appropriately described by the author, it is, “the life blood of corporations”. It is a reason for profit and loss between competitors and sometimes it sets a benchmark for success or failure of a company. Likewise, in business world, information makes a lot difference. Same has been interpreted by the author by giving an example of military philosopher Sun Tzu who staunchly believed in having information about enemy to gain an additional advantage. It guarantees success over contender and improves the probability of survival in competitive environment. Spying is considered to be one of the oldest professions.

Modern espionage techniques