counterintelligence
Catching enemy spies
Counterintelligence is the work of detecting and thwarting enemy espionage.
Intelligence agencies gather information about adversaries; counterintelligence prevents adversaries from doing the same.
The field encompasses identifying foreign spies, protecting classified information, and running operations to deceive or manipulate hostile intelligence services: The FBI handles domestic counterintelligence.
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- handlerOne who manages something
asset · defector · sleeper · infiltrator · informant · tradecraft · spycraft · network
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- coverProtect by overlaying
- aliasAdopted false name
- incognitoWith identity concealed
secret · concealment · cutout · proprietary · sterile
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
polygraph · countermeasure · debriefing · indoctrination · non-disclosure · OPSEC
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- legendUnverified traditional tale
plant · dangle · provocation · false-flag · manipulation · misdirection · feed
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
tailing · stakeout · observation · interception · sweep · debugging · photography · watchlist
spy
Covert information gatherer
handler · asset · defector · sleeper · infiltrator · informant · tradecraft · spycraft · network · traitor
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- coverProtect by overlaying
- aliasAdopted false name
incognito · secret · concealment · cutout · proprietary · sterile
vetting
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
classified · polygraph · countermeasure · debriefing · indoctrination · non-disclosure · OPSEC
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
legend · plant · dangle · provocation · false-flag · manipulation · misdirection · feed
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
tracking · tailing · stakeout · observation · interception · sweep · debugging · photography · watchlist
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- FBIFBI, agent, special agent, bureau, FBI Academy
- securitysecurity guard, security cameras, alarm system, security system, lock
- security termsPIN, password, passwords, encryption, encrypted
- cybersecurityantivirus, malware, firewall, firewalls, encryption
- Spycraftspy, agent, asset, covert, handler
counterintelligenceespionage
Covert intelligence gathering
spying · intelligence gathering · foreign intelligence · HUMINT · covert operations
counterintelligencesecurity breach
Unauthorized penetration of protected systems
intelligence leak · compromise · penetration · exposure · defection
counterintelligencepublic disclosure
Revealing information openly
transparency · freedom of information · whistleblowing · declassification · open government
- counterintelligence agentOne who thwarts espionage
counter, intelligent, intelligence, intelligible, intelligently, intelligibility, intelligibly, counterspy, counterspying