The differences between active CI and defensive CI have important implications for CI managers. Above all, managers must keep in mind that active CI is a function that is the primary responsibility of the CI unit (and its end users), whereas defensive CI is a process that involves the CI unit primarily as a catalyst. That is, the CI unit (or its manager) is best deployed in educating and training employees throughout the firm on how each person, unit, and function can best protect the firm's competitive valuable assets.

Within active CI, the critical differences among the four types ultimately cause each type of active CI to:

• tend to rely on different sources of raw data

• use varied mixes of options to make the intelligence available to end users

• make the intelligence available at different frequencies

• use different metrics to track their contribution to a firm's bottom line