exfiltration

Smuggling data out

Exfiltration is the covert removal of something from a place where it belongs.

In military and intelligence contexts, it means extracting personnel from hostile territory: The CIA planned the agent's exfiltration from Moscow.

In cybersecurity, data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of information out of a system: Hackers exfiltrated millions of customer records before anyone noticed.

The word implies stealth—getting something out without detection.

espionage

intelligence

Mental ability, cognitive capacity

agentOne who acts independently
operativeCovert field agent
handlerOne who manages something

asset · mole · surveillance · counterintelligence · tradecraft · informant · debriefing · classified · documents · microfilm

method

covert

Intentionally concealed

clandestineConcealed from authorities
surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthSecret, undetected movement

undetected · concealment · disguise · smuggling · tunnel · route · timing · diversion · checkpoint · ratline

military

extraction

Act of removing

evacuationRemoval from danger
helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
rescueSave from harm

operation · SEALs · hostage · POW · rendezvous · reconnaissance · SAS · Rangers · tactical · airlift

cyber

leak

Escape through a breach

encryptionConverting data into code
firewallNetwork access control system
malwareHarmful computer programs

phishing · ransomware · intrusion · detection · forensics · zero-day · honeypot · DLP · USB · email

exfiltration

intelligence

covert

extraction

leak

exfiltration

Opposites

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