Central Intelligence
America's espionage bureau
Central Intelligence refers to a nation's coordinated gathering and analysis of secret information, especially about foreign governments and threats.
In American usage, the term is nearly synonymous with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency): He spent thirty years in central intelligence.
The "central" suggests consolidation of intelligence from multiple sources into one coordinating body.
U.S. foreign intelligence service
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- MI6UK espionage agency
- KGBUSSR intelligence service
- MossadIsraeli espionage service
RAW · Langley · headquarters · station chief · director · spymaster · analyst · field agent
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- operativeCovert field agent
- agentOne who acts independently
infiltrate · counterintelligence · tradecraft · dead drop · exfiltrate · moles · asset · handler
Restricted from disclosure
- top secretHighest classification level
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- redactedOfficially removed from view
- compartmentalizedDivided into isolated sections
need-to-know · clearance · covert · clandestine · black site · cover story · plausible deniability · eyes only
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- satellite imageryEarth views from orbit
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
reconnaissance · aerial surveillance · PRISM · data mining · drone surveillance · tracking · geolocation
Safeguarding a country's interests
- policyAdopted principle of action
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- executive orderBinding directive from leadership
- covert actionUnacknowledged governmental intervention
foreign policy · defense · interagency · security council · authorization · accountability · whistleblower · leak
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
Mossad · RAW · Langley · headquarters · station chief · director · spymaster · analyst · field agent · case officer
spy
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- operativeCovert field agent
agent · infiltrate · counterintelligence · tradecraft · dead drop · exfiltrate · moles · asset · handler · double agent
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- top secretHighest classification level
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- redactedOfficially removed from view
compartmentalized · need-to-know · clearance · covert · clandestine · black site · cover story · plausible deniability · eyes only · sealed
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- satellite imageryEarth views from orbit
bugging · reconnaissance · aerial surveillance · PRISM · data mining · drone surveillance · tracking · geolocation
national security
Safeguarding a country's interests
- policyAdopted principle of action
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- executive orderBinding directive from leadership
covert action · foreign policy · defense · interagency · security council · authorization · accountability · whistleblower · leak · declassification
Central IntelligenceFederal Bureau of Investigation
National criminal investigation agency
FBI · internal security · domestic surveillance · state police · county sheriff
Central Intelligenceindependent agencies
Government entities operating autonomously
Central Intelligencepublic information
Accessible-to-all data
freedom of information · public disclosure · journalism · whistleblowing
central, intelligence, center, centre, centrally, centrality, centric, centrist, centrism