Foreign Policy blogger and CISAC Faculty Member Amy Zegart explains why private companies are developing their own intelligence units that conduct surveillance and analyze information to protect their businesses and personnel against geopolitical risks. These units, which operate much like the CIA and are staffed with former CIA, FBI and military professionals, are becoming necessary for conducting global business. Companies cannot afford to ignore political instability, natural disasers and other risks when the lines between politics and economics are increasingly blurred.