We're excited to announce that IXN Dispatch is now on Patreon! Our mission hasn't changed. We are committed to bringing you sharp, actionable insight at the intersection of counterintelligence, security, and strategy. But by moving to Patreon, we’re opening up new ways to engage, reward
1.   Executive Summary     a. Insider threats (security risks originating from within an organization) have emerged as one of the most damaging yet under-addressed challenges for defense contractors and high-value intellectual property (IP) firms. Whether driven by malicious intent or careless behavior, insiders can exfiltrate classified military designs, steal trade secrets
Introduction: China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), Beijing’s chief intelligence agency, has been mounting a covert recruitment drive on LinkedIn, effectively turning the professional networking platform into a hunting ground for spies. In these campaigns, Chinese intelligence operatives masquerade as recruiters, consultants, or headhunters, reaching out to business
Introduction In a high-profile corporate espionage case, Appian Corporation, a maker of low-code process automation software, sued rival Pegasystems Inc. for an alleged multi-year campaign of trade secret theft. In 2022, a Virginia jury found Pegasystems had willfully and maliciously misappropriated Appian’s trade secrets and even violated computer crime
1.     Introduction    a. In today’s threat landscape, the theft of intellectual property (IP) and sensitive operational data is not just a national security issue, it’s a direct financial and governance concern for corporations. High-profile breaches and espionage cases have shown that a single insider or state-sponsored actor can
Executive Summary Elevated Threats to Deals: In the current climate, foreign adversaries and sophisticated competitors target U.S. mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures (M&A/JVs) as channels to obtain sensitive technology and data. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) recently warned that foreign intelligence agencies use investment
1.   Introduction     a. The rise of AI-generated disinformation poses a complex challenge for U.S. counterintelligence (CI). Adversarial states are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools (from deepfake video and audio to algorithmically generated social media posts) to conduct covert influence campaigns at scale. The U.S. National Counterintelligence and
Abstract  Over the next 2–5 years, the United States faces an intensifying counterintelligence (CI) threat landscape driven by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These state actors are expected to adapt and escalate their espionage, influence, and cyber tactics to target U.S. government agencies, the defense industrial base
The New Assignment It was my first night at Arcadia Tech, and the city outside was drowning in a cold, misty rain. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the 20th-story corner office they’d given me, looking down at neon reflections on slick pavement. I’m a corporate counterintelligence
Background and Objectives of the Thousand Talents Program The Thousand Talents Program (TTP), launched in 2008, is one of China’s most prominent talent-recruitment initiatives, aimed at attracting top scientific and technological expertise from around the world.  It was designed to reverse China’s “brain drain” by luring high-level experts
1.   Abstract As geopolitical competition intensifies and digital technology permeates every aspect of business, the private sector faces increasingly complex and adaptive threats from foreign intelligence services, aggressive competitors, and malicious insiders. This paper explores the evolving role of counterintelligence (CI) tradecraft, specifically offensive counterintelligence operations (OFCO), in corporate security
The High-Stakes Threat to Intellectual Property In today’s hyper-competitive environment, intellectual property (IP) is the lifeblood of industries like biotechnology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, software, and semiconductors. Yet the very innovations that drive competitive advantage also make these firms prime targets for espionage and insider exploitation. Recent research confirms an
Abstract This article analyzes the counterintelligence (CI) implications of the recent U.S. tariffs imposed on the People's Republic of China (PRC). Arguing that economic pressure acts not only as a trade mechanism, but also as a catalyst for intensified foreign intelligence activity. Drawing on historical precedent, adversarial
In an era of aggressive insider threats, intellectual property theft, and state-sponsored corporate espionage, companies in tech, defense, banking, biotech and other sensitive sectors must go beyond traditional security. Corporate counterintelligence (CI) is about proactively identifying and countering threats from within and outside the organization before they can cause damage.
The Rising Threat of Corporate Espionage Modern corporations face an onslaught of espionage attempts aimed at stealing trade secrets, proprietary research, and other sensitive information. Adversaries range from state-sponsored actors to unscrupulous competitors, all seeking a shortcut to gain competitive advantage. Economic studies estimate that intellectual property theft, including trade
In the world of cyber protection, identity is the new cyber battleground. At IXN Solutions, we believe Counterintelligence (CI) principles and methodologies can significantly enhance identity security and mitigate cyber threats targeting digital identities. Here’s how counterintelligence can play a crucial role in Identity Detection and Response (IDR), and
Modern counterintelligence faces a full spectrum of sophisticated threats that challenge national security and corporate resiliency alike. Foreign adversaries, including aggressive nation-states like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as non-state actors (organized criminals, hacktivists, and proxies) are launching unprecedented and persistent espionage efforts. Unlike in the past,
Insider threats pose a growing risk to organizations across all industries. Unlike external cyberattacks, which originate outside a company’s network, insider threats come from individuals within the organization, such as employees, contractors, or partners, who have access to critical systems and data. Whether due to malicious intent or negligence,
In a time when national security is under siege from all fronts—cyber, insider threats, and foreign influence—counterintelligence is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Let’s look at what’s happening right now in our own backyard:    • Federal workforce reductions, led by political initiatives, have left thousands
News
This is IXN Dispatch, a brand new site by IXN Solutions LLC that's just getting started. Things will be up and running here shortly, but you can subscribe in the meantime if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new content is