Climate Change Biology

By Kevin C. Desouza

Managing Knowledge Security is a comprehensive reference detailing how to secure both the physical and intangible assets owned by a business. Citing international examples such as Hewlett Packard,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0749449616
• ISBN13: 9780749449612
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Kogan Page
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

How to ensure that intellectual assets are secured...and remain secure

In the preface, Kevin Desouza explains that in addition to demonstrating how organizations are vulnerable to breaches in security, he details how most breaches can take place without the use of sophisticated technological mechanism. "My goal is writing this book is simple, but salient: to help organizations realize that their core resources - intellectual assets - are under constant attack, and that protecting this resource is as important as any other strategic agenda. Organizations that take necessary steps to protect their knowledge will thrive in today's competitive environment, often at the expense of their less-prepared foes." Readers will especially appreciate Desouza's skillful use of two reader-friendly devices in Chapters 2-6: "Possible causes of security breaches" and "Preventive measures." He provides a checklist for each when exploring protection of intellectual assets at the level of employees (Chapter 2), the human aspects of technical security breaches (Chapter 3), the nature of intellectual asset security when engaging with external entities (Chapter 4), the nature and dimensions of physical security (Chapter 5), and protection of intellectual assets during crises (Chapter 6). Then in the final chapter, Desouza focuses on seven strategic considerations that must be carefully thought through when devising a viable security program for intellectual assets. All are critically important and best identified within his narrative, in context. However, I do not hesitate to suggest that Desouza offers the best single source I have yet encountered for decision-makers in any organization (regardless of its size or nature) that currently fails to protect its security effectively both internally and externally, especially now when its core resources - its intellectual assets - are under constant attack. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Creating New Wealth from IP Assets co-authored by Robert Shearer and other members of the National Knowledge & Intellectual Property Management Taskforce as well as Paul Goldstein's Intellectual Property: The Tough New Realities That Could Make or Break Your Business, Alexander I. Poltorak and Paul J. Lerner's Essentials of Intellectual Property, Carla O'Dell's The Executive's Role in Knowledge Management, and If Only We Knew What We Know: The Transfer of Internal Knowledge and Best Practice co-authored by O'Dell and C. Jackson Grayson.

The Human-Side of Security Strategies

"Managing Knowledge Security: Strategies for Protecting Your Company's Intellectual Assets" (by Kevin C. Desouza) is an eye-opener. Unlike books that talk about technology-based security strategies, the book spots a human-side of security strategies. Desouza asks readers to think about the most important assets that companies have to protect and claims that technology is not always a solution to secure those important assets. For example, the most important assets for a company can be senior executives. Desouza asks companies whether they have a back up plan, if their executives are down. Desouza also explains a case that how companies end up to compromise their knowledge assets through conversations made by careless senior executives at the airport. Desouza explains these cases by using illustrative examples from his experiences as a competitive intelligence officer. In addition to these examples, each chapter explains the factors that may contribute to security breaches and provides actionable strategies. The book covers security strategies from internal employees to strategic alliances. This is a must-read.

Smart people will read this book...

This is another informative publication by Kevin C Desouza. I really like this book, and in my opinion it is a contemporary classic in the making. This text is passionately written with clarity and brevity providing readers with a concise and comprehensive overview of the major issues concerning the complex processes of securing intellectual assets. This book spurs debate and stimulates critical thinking. Its strengths are its connection to real life scenarios plus the possibility to use it as a serious platform for discussing business practices. Crammed with spot on insights and excellent advice, this is an important book and delivers valuable lessons to the reader. It would be of extreme interest to both CEOs, directors and managers of companies (for obvious reasons) and to academics to whom I would recommend adopting it to use in a wide range of courses. An excellent book...there is a definite need for a thoughtful book of this type. It is worthy of recognition and deserves a lot of credit - it's a must read!