counter-intelligence
Catching enemy spies
Counter-intelligence is the activity of preventing enemies or competitors from gathering information about you.
Intelligence agencies conduct counter-intelligence to identify foreign spies, protect secrets, and disrupt espionage operations: The FBI handles domestic counter-intelligence.
The term extends to corporate settings where companies guard trade secrets.
Also spelled counterintelligence.
Methods of secret agents
- dead-dropCovert message transfer location
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- cutoutShape removed from material
- handlerOne who manages something
asset · HUMINT · SIGINT · encryption · decryption · debriefing · exfiltration · dossier
Defensive actions against threats
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
- sweepBrush clean with broom
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
U.S. foreign intelligence service
- FBIU.S. domestic intelligence agency
- MI5British domestic intelligence agency
- MI6UK espionage agency
- MossadIsraeli espionage service
NSA · counterterrorism · analyst · director
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- feedSupply with sustenance
provocation · ruse · propaganda · smokescreen · subterfuge
Entry into something
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- counterespionageBlocking enemy surveillance efforts
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- polygraphPhysiological response recorder
surveillance · wiretap · eavesdropping · interception · honey-trap · dangle · false-flag · debrief
spycraft
Methods of secret agents
- dead-dropCovert message transfer location
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- cutoutShape removed from material
handler · asset · HUMINT · SIGINT · encryption · decryption · debriefing · exfiltration · dossier · vetting
countermeasures
Defensive actions against threats
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
- sweepBrush clean with broom
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
Mossad · NSA · counterterrorism · analyst · director
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
feed · provocation · ruse · propaganda · smokescreen · subterfuge
penetration
Entry into something
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- counterespionageBlocking enemy surveillance efforts
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
polygraph · surveillance · wiretap · eavesdropping · interception · honey-trap · dangle · false-flag · debrief
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- corporate espionagetrade secrets, corporate spying, moles, formulas, infiltration
counter-intelligenceespionage
Covert intelligence gathering
spying · intelligence gathering · foreign intelligence · human intelligence · HUMINT
counter-intelligencecyber espionage
Computer-based intelligence gathering
subversion · exfiltration · offensive operations · information theft · industrial espionage