intelligence agency
Secret information bureau
An intelligence agency is a government organization that gathers, analyzes, and acts on information relevant to national security.
These agencies conduct espionage, counterintelligence, and covert operations: The CIA is America's primary foreign intelligence agency.
Some focus on signals intelligence (intercepting communications), others on human intelligence (spies and informants).
Domestic agencies like the FBI handle threats within national borders, while foreign-focused agencies operate abroad.
U.S. foreign intelligence service
Secret military or intelligence activities
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- exfiltrationCovert withdrawal of people/data
double agent · moles · sleeper cell · asset · handler · dead drop · brush pass · black ops
Hidden writing system
- codebreakingSolving secret communications
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- encryptionConverting data into code
- steganographyHiding data within media
codebook · disguise · cover story · signal · dead letter box · microdot · countersurveillance · pocket litter
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- electronic surveillanceCovert monitoring via technology
- SIGINTIntelligence from communications intercepts
HUMINT · satellite imagery · data mining · metadata · intercepts · bugging · tracking · drones
Evaluating potential for harm
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
- security clearanceAuthorization for classified access
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
top secret · need-to-know · compartmentalization · vetting · briefing · risk analysis · crisis management · protocol
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
covert operations
Secret military or intelligence activities
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
exfiltration · double agent · moles · sleeper cell · asset · handler · dead drop · brush pass · black ops · sabotage
cipher
Hidden writing system
- codebreakingSolving secret communications
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- encryptionConverting data into code
steganography · codebook · disguise · cover story · signal · dead letter box · microdot · countersurveillance · pocket litter · duress code
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- electronic surveillanceCovert monitoring via technology
SIGINT · HUMINT · satellite imagery · data mining · metadata · intercepts · bugging · tracking · drones · reconnaissance
threat assessment
Evaluating potential for harm
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
- security clearanceAuthorization for classified access
classified · top secret · need-to-know · compartmentalization · vetting · briefing · risk analysis · crisis management · protocol · sensitive information
- agenciesOgilvy, FDA, McCann, CDC, FCC
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- government bodiesbureau, legislature, department, ministry, judiciary
- secure placesprison, jail, vault, bank vault, fortress
- Spy Thrillersspy, double agent, covert ops, classified, intel
- Investigative BodiesFBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, NSA
intelligence agencypublic records office
Government document archive
intelligence agencyWikiLeaks
Transparency organization publishing leaks
press agency · free press · news bureau · freedom of the press · public broadcaster
agency, intelligent, intelligence, intellectual, intellect, unintelligent, intelligible, intelligently, intellectuals