[Baron Munchausen]

Is he playing a 'Deeply Religious' race? There is a facility that would give some protection in that tech field. Also, if he's well ahead of you in Intelligence tech he counter-intel spending would be much more effective. Finally, there is one type of advantage that too many people over-look in this game. TREATIES. If he has a treaty with another empire that might give him even more intel points than you have. Are there other empires in the game that are as large or larger than you?