The information support for the economic security of business

The article is focused on information security of the company’s operation. The ways of obtaining information, collecting and using it in terms of new communication technologies and informatization processes are considered. The authors analyze a transition from the useful information to the information overload and explain this situation. The paper presents a comparative assessment of the information source and its contents on reliability and validity according to a six-point scale, ranging from a completely reliable source to a statement that the reliability can’t be evaluated. The probability of forecasts implementation in terms of risks and economic security issues is assessed. Also, the problem of information security and its components is examined. The role of a company’s economic security department is clarified. Moreover, the place of such departments as information security service and competitive intelligence groups in its structure is determined. Regarding the content of functions performed by the information department, the stages of collecting and providing information to different departments, services and business units. Particular attention is drawn to a group of competitive intelligence, the analytical nature of its activities, its role in the development and implementation of development scenarios and strategies chosen on the basis of these scenarios. The list of data collection methods used in competitive intelligence (methods of “ordinary espionage”) is given. In terms of content, great attention is paid to strategic information needs that are directly related to optional planning and information criteria of control, as well as strategic planning. The importance of strategic planning in terms of increasing the economic security of an organization and selecting its development strategies (including the strategy of corporate economic security) is demonstrated. The paper contains a list of measures designed to ensure the information security of the organization. The importance of competitive intelligence in the collection and use of information is revealed. The authors present a flowchart of competitive intelligence of the company. The article has a list of activities of the competitive intelligence group, including filtration of the received information, increasing its efficiency, information security, and focus on the implementation of an early warning concept. The article presents a connection between information support, strategic planning and strategies implemented by the company.