secret services
Covert government operatives
Secret services are government agencies that conduct intelligence, counterintelligence, and covert operations.
The term covers both foreign intelligence gathering and domestic security functions.
In the United States, the Secret Service specifically protects the president and investigates financial crimes—a narrower mandate than the phrase suggests elsewhere.
The secret services intercepted communications between the diplomats.
U.S. foreign intelligence service
- MI6UK espionage agency
- MossadIsraeli espionage service
- KGBUSSR intelligence service
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
FBI · analysis · briefing · gathering · informant · counterintelligence · cryptanalysis · SIGINT
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- agentOne who acts independently
- moleSubterranean insectivore
infiltrate · sabotage · dead drop · asset · sleeper cell · handler · double agent · tradecraft
Meant to stay secret
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- encryptedTransformed into cipher
- redactedOfficially removed from view
compartmentalized · eyes-only · sensitive · restricted · burn bag · secure · vault · declassified
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
stakeout · CCTV · observation · tail · watchlist · interception · drones · tapped
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
NSA · FBI · analysis · briefing · gathering · informant · counterintelligence · cryptanalysis · SIGINT · HUMINT
spy
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- agentOne who acts independently
mole · infiltrate · sabotage · dead drop · asset · sleeper cell · handler · double agent · tradecraft · clandestine
confidential
Meant to stay secret
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- encryptedTransformed into cipher
redacted · compartmentalized · eyes-only · sensitive · restricted · burn bag · secure · vault · declassified · security clearance
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
tracking · stakeout · CCTV · observation · tail · watchlist · interception · drones · tapped · spyware
secret servicesopen government
Right to state information
freedom of information · press offices · civic organizations · town halls · public broadcasters
secret servicesregular army
Nation's permanent military force
standing army · military police · national guard · armed forces · infantry
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