# Former CIA Officer Warns US Firms Underestimate Chinese Espionage Risks Michele Rigby Assad urges private sector leaders to prioritize counterintelligence training against foreign threats. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cfe52611-0764-4ec2-95e4-bf90fefd604b ## Rising Corporate Espionage Threats Former CIA officer Michele Rigby Assad warns that American companies frequently underestimate the risks posed by Chinese intelligence services. These entities specifically target firms possessing valuable technology, aiming to acquire intellectual property without the high costs of research and development. Assad emphasizes that businesses must proactively adopt counterintelligence training to mitigate vulnerabilities. ## The Mechanics of Recruitment Intelligence operations often begin through seemingly benign interactions, such as invitations to speak at conferences or requests for paid consulting work. Over time, these contacts gradually escalate their demands for sensitive information. Assad notes that individuals are frequently lured by the ease of payment for tasks that initially appear harmless or professional. ## Exploiting Personal Vulnerabilities Recruiters identify and leverage personal weaknesses to compromise targets, ranging from financial incentives to emotional manipulation. The use of honeypots remains a classic intelligence tactic to gain leverage over individuals in strategic positions. Assad warns that leaders often fail to recognize these patterns until a significant security breach has already occurred. ## Nvidia Investigation Context The warning coincides with an internal investigation at Nvidia regarding whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by foreign intelligence efforts. While Nvidia has not confirmed any compromise of company secrets, the case highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding advanced chip access. FBI officials have long cautioned that China-related counterintelligence cases remain a top priority. ## FBI Counterintelligence Data Federal authorities report a high volume of activity, with the FBI previously noting that a new China-related counterintelligence case was opened roughly every ten hours. Nearly half of the bureau's active counterintelligence investigations are linked to China. These figures underscore the systemic nature of the threat facing American technology and commercial sectors. ## Industry-Specific Security Gaps Strategically important industries, such as the aerospace sector in Florida, are particularly vulnerable to foreign operatives seeking sensitive development data. Assad observed individuals using classic intelligence tactics in public spaces near sensitive facilities. This aligns with federal advisories warning that commercial space companies are prime targets for foreign intelligence entities seeking proprietary technology. ## Overcoming Optimism Bias Assad argues that the business community suffers from an optimism bias, causing leaders to overlook clear warning signs of espionage. She urges companies to move beyond this mindset and treat counterintelligence as a core operational priority. Understanding what a real-life intelligence operation looks like is essential for protecting long-term corporate assets. ## Strategic Imperative for Security As US-China competition intensifies, the protection of intellectual property becomes a critical economic and national security issue. Companies must recognize that their technological advancements are high-value targets for foreign governments. Investing in robust security training is no longer optional but a necessary defense against the sophisticated methods used to steal innovation. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/former-cia-officer-says-what-nvidia-case-can-teach-companies-2026-11 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._