Supply Chain Risk Management

I just read an nice article evaluating the pros and cons (mostly pros) for using an Apple iPad as a tool for researchers.

See yourself: iPad Review: 60 days and 6 reasons why you need it

Just a short note: Outsourcing always means giving away information which prior only belonged to one company. It therefore carries increased risk of theft, be it physical or intellectual.

In the last days several videos showed up on youtube showing what might be the next generation Apple iPhone.
Usually these videos are published from bloggers or the press, sometimes money for the device/video is paid.

But I would be worried much more about the pictures, that are not published... Presumably competitors like Sony-Ericsson, HTC, etc. might be willing to pay much more to get a hands-on glimpse on this device.

How can companies prevent this kind of risks? Is insourcing the only option?


References
iPhone 4G in Vietnam p1

iPhone 4G in Vietnam p2

Supply Chain Compliance
Apple Inc. recently published their Supplier Responsibility Report (PDF) for 2009.

In this report Apple elaborates what measures they are taking to ensure a broad set of goals at the inbound side of their supply chain. They especially address possible problems at their asian suppliers.