Obveščevalna dejavnost, ki je bila vedno obravnavana kot klasična dejavnost države, se je začela pojavljati tudi v zasebnem sektorju. Ta proces je potekal predvsem na Zahodu, zato nas je zanimalo, ali obstajajo tudi v Republiki Sloveniji zametki zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti pri zasebnem varovanju. V doktorski disertaciji smo zasebno obveščevalno dejavnost v Republiki Sloveniji preučevali s teoretičnega, pravnega in praktičnega vidika. Na podlagi razvoja državnih in zasebnih obveščevalnih organizacij smo vzpostavili teoretično−konceptualni okvir obveščevalne dejavnosti. Obveščevalna dejavnost poteka v prostoru podatkov in informacij, sestavljajo jo temeljni elementi: zbiranje, analiza podatkov in protiobveščevalna dejavnost. Pojmi, ki opredeljujejo obveščevalno dejavnost in jo razlikujejo od drugih oblik zbiranja podatkov, so tveganja, tajnost in nadzorovanje. Na podlagi teoretičnega modela smo pregledali ustrezno zakonodajo Republike Slovenije in izvedli spletno anketo med predstavniki gospodarskih subjektov, ki se ukvarjajo z zasebnim varovanjem, varnostnim svetovanjem, informacijsko varnostjo in detektivsko dejavnostjo. Zaradi večkrat zaznane negativne konotacije ob omenjanju zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti in njene narave ne moremo z gotovostjo trditi, koliko je v Republiki Sloveniji resnično razširjena. V Republiki Sloveniji tudi ni družbe, ki bi svoje obveščevalne in protiobveščevalne storitve oglaševala na trgu. Kljub temu smo lahko s pomočjo teoretičnega modela, pregleda zakonodaje in spletne ankete ugotovili, da vendarle obstajajo elementi zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti v Republiki Sloveniji, ki se izražajo pri nekaterih dejavnostih detektivov in zasebnih varnostnih družb. Zakonodaja in praksa kažeta na to, da se zasebna protiobveščevalna dejavnost v Republiki Sloveniji izvaja predvsem v obliki pasivnih varnostnih ukrepov. Intelligence has long been perceived as a classic example of a state function, but it has also recently developed in the private sector. Because the privatization of intelligence functions has primarily been observed in the West, questions arise if a parallel development has also taken place in the Republic of Slovenia. Seeking to answer these questions, this doctoral dissertation examines private intelligence in the Republic of Slovenia through theoretical, legal and practical perspectives. Based on an historical examination of the evolution of intelligence as a state function, a theoretical and conceptual framework was constructed to define and analyze intelligence. Intelligence is a broad concept, but at its core it is concerned with information and data and consists of main elements: gathering and analysis of data and information, and counterintelligence. In addition to the above core elements, other concepts that define and distinguish intelligence from other forms of data gathering include risk, secrecy and surveillance. The theoretical model developed and used in this dissertation permited the review of legislation related to intelligence, as well as the conduct of an online survey of business subjects involved in private security, security advising, information security and private detective services. Due to the often percived negative connotation when reffering to private intelligence and its nature, it is not possible to claim how widespread private intelligence is in the Republic of Slovenia. No private Slovenian company could be found that advertises it services as intelligence or counterintelligence. However, the theoretical model, legislation review and online survey revealed some elements of private intelligence in the Republic of Slovenia, primarily in the work of private detectives and private security companies. Legislation and business practices have also shown that private counterintelligence is being practiced in the Republic of Slovenia, though as more passive security measures.