The pain-staking gathering of data and facts, and then the careful placement of this information into the proper, illuminating context so that it amounts to knowledge, is an essential component for any successful business. Ignorance about the activities of competitors, or a changing business environment, or the activities, present and past, of potential business partners, or even one's own employees, can leave a company blind and vulnerable.

Information gathering, then, is not an option for many enterprises. But effective information collection should not - and need not - be conducted through misrepresentation, coercion, so-called 'pretexting,' the invasion of privacy, spying, or other illegal means. In fact, those companies that have, in their intelligence gathering activities, violated the law, or basic standards of ethical conduct, have found the effort far more damaging than any gain they might have received.

Oracle's shares, for example, fell 13% when news came to light that the firm had authorized a covert operation to obtain sensitive lobbying information by its chief rival, Microsoft, by paying off Microsoft janitors to leave the trash behind. Oracle's stock was subsequently down-graded by analysts, it lost its Chief Operating Officer, and its reputation was tarnished.

At ReconnaSense, we gather information through proper channels and lawful means. We do not use, and will not disseminate, information obtained through unlawful methods. We believe in vigorous and fair competition, and conduct our operations in accordance with accepted industry standards and regulations, as required.