Crisis Intelligence

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Crisis Intelligence (literally, for example, "Crisis (cause) research", "Crisis (early) clarification") refers to strategic and systematic research , the collection and procurement of data, the analysis and evaluation of information and the use of knowledge gained from it within the framework of Crisis prevention and management processes.

The aim is the continuous supply of decision-relevant knowledge in order to reduce potential risks and uncertainties and to reduce or avoid damage. The demand for the reduction and preparation of information for decision-making processes counteracts a possible information overload . In crisis management, just as in crisis prevention, trial-and-error strategies are unsuitable due to the high risks and the often high consequences of negative effects.

The definitions of the terms information and knowledge used in connection with the term "Crisis Intelligence" are based on the DIKW model. This model represents data, information and knowledge in an ascending pyramid. The “DIKW hierarchy”, also known as the “knowledge hierarchy”, “information hierarchy” or “knowledge pyramid”, is one of the fundamental, generally recognized Models in the information and knowledge management literature. The aim of knowledge management is to enable the right information to be provided in the right place for the right people at the right time based on reliable knowledge. (Beims, 2009)

Consideration of information acquisition in a crisis context

Crises are situations of high informative uncertainty. Crises not only threaten material (e.g. financial) values, but also immaterial values ​​(e.g. reputation or image), which have a high degree of complexity and uncertainty with little room for maneuver and high pressure to act. Decisions in crisis situations require action-guiding and secured information. The basic rule is that "information [...] is to be procured when its costs are lower than the income generated by its use." In the context of crisis management or crisis prevention, it can be deduced from this that information is procured Should, if the savings from averted damage or damage reparations are greater than the costs of obtaining information. However, the assessment of the amount of damage is difficult, especially in the case of immaterial damage. "Immaterial damage [...] can outweigh financial losses." From this it can be deduced that economically feasible measures should be taken that are suitable for averting or reducing (immaterial) damage.

Definition of the term intelligence

“Intelligence” as a term has not yet been clearly defined. It is mostly known from the business context under the term “ Business Intelligence ” or from the context of competition research as “ Competitive Intelligence ”.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) offers a number of definitions when it comes to disambiguation:

"Intelligence deals with all the things which should be known in advance of initiating a course of action." ( Hoover Commission)

This definition contains two essential aspects that distinguish the concept from that of knowledge . First: A decision-making orientation is required. The retrospective question: Did this information or the specific knowledge lead to a decision? This is one of the criteria for the definition of intelligence.

"Information in the absence of execution is overhead." (Ronald Griffin)

Second: The definition contains a clear limitation and thus the demand for reduction to the relevant. Grothe and Gentsch (2004, p. 20f) also emphasize the aspect of information search and integration into a more comprehensive process. The higher value of intelligence for the decision maker, by definition, is also reflected in the following quote:

"Knowledge has value, but intelligence has power." (Rothberg and Erickson, 2005)

If the crisis is due to an attack, necessary crisis management measures go further, as can be deduced from the following statement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff :

"Information and knowledge about an adversary obtained through observation, investigation, analysis, or understanding." (Joint Publication 1-02, April 12, 2001, p. 208)

Accordingly, an understanding of the actual causes of a crisis can only be achieved if appropriate information and knowledge about the causes / causers and motivations are obtained or are available.

Interaction of the intelligence areas

The areas of business intelligence and competitive intelligence can provide important information to the area of ​​crisis intelligence. The data and information regularly collected and collected there are available at short notice at any time. Particularly detailed knowledge of markets, competitors and direct competitors are valuable information in Crisis Intelligence that is useful for researching the causes of the crisis.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Security Wiki : Crisis Intelligence
  2. ↑ Eberhard Witte, Jürgen Hauschildt, Oskar Grün, Innovative Decision Processes, 1988, p. 236
  3. ↑ Rainer Kuhlen, Thomas Seeger, Dietmar Strauch, Basics of Practical Information and Documentation, Volume 1: Handbook for Introduction to Information Science and Practice, 2004, p. 11
  4. ↑ Martin Beims, IT Service Management in Practice with ITIL 3, 2009, p. 123
  5. ↑ Ansgar Thießen, Organizational Communication in Crises, 2011, pp. 65f
  6. ↑ Berekoven, Ludwig; Eckert, Werner; Ellenrieder, Peter (2004): Market Research. Methodological basics and practical application. 10th ed. Wiesbaden: Gabler.
  7. ^ André Amend, Prevention of white-collar crime in companies, 2008, p. 17
  8. ↑ Measures in this context are limited to socially accepted measures that conform to the law and regulations
  9. ↑ Central Intelligence Agency - Wanted: A Definition of "Intelligence"
  10. ↑ Hoover Commission, 06.1955
  11. ^ Ronald Griffin, SVP, Information Services, Home Depot, Inc.
  12. ↑ Grothe, M./Gentsch, P., presentation of the current state of development in: Schildhauer, T./Grothe, M./Braun, M./Schultze, M. (Ed.): Business Intelligence
  13. ↑ Helen N. Rothberg, G. Scott Erickson, From Knowledge to Intelligence, 2005
  14. ^ Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, Joint Publication 1-02, April 12, 2001, p. 208