spycraft
Intelligence gathering methods
Spycraft is the skills, techniques, and tradecraft used in espionage—surveillance, code-breaking, disguise, dead drops, and similar covert operations.
The term covers both the practical methods and the broader art of intelligence work: She learned spycraft at the agency's training facility.
Often romanticized in fiction, actual spycraft tends toward patience and paperwork.
Identity-concealing alteration
- aliasAdopted false name
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- forged documentsFraudulently created official papers
- dead-droppingConcealed transfer technique
misdirection · subterfuge · disinformation · propaganda · front company · cutout · plausible deniability · false flag
Secret exchange location
- brush passSurreptitious walking exchange
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- safe houseSecret secure refuge
- backstoppingProviding secondary support
exfiltration · infiltration · go bag · escape route · counter-surveillance · cut-out · pocket litter · microdot
Intelligence from people
- SIGINTIntelligence from communications intercepts
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- briefingConcise information session
debriefing · informant · defector · double agent · mole · sleeper agent · walk-in · dangle
Converting data into code
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- cipherHidden writing system
- code breakingSolving encrypted messages
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
cyberespionage · malware · cryptography · secure communication · steganography · burner phone · satellite imagery · hacking
Secretly listening to others
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- shadowingFollowing to observe
- tailingSecretly following someone
stakeout · intercept · reconnaissance · tracking · listening device · hidden camera · phone tap · monitoring
U.S. foreign intelligence service
Search for internal spy
- vettingEvaluating suitability through investigation
- polygraphPhysiological response recorder
- security clearanceAuthorization for classified access
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
disinformation · double cross · triple agent · need-to-know · security sweep · bug sweep
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- aliasAdopted false name
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- forged documentsFraudulently created official papers
dead-dropping · misdirection · subterfuge · disinformation · propaganda · front company · cutout · plausible deniability · false flag · provocation
dead drop
Secret exchange location
- brush passSurreptitious walking exchange
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- safe houseSecret secure refuge
backstopping · exfiltration · infiltration · go bag · escape route · counter-surveillance · cut-out · pocket litter · microdot · invisible ink
HUMINT
Intelligence from people
- SIGINTIntelligence from communications intercepts
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
briefing · debriefing · informant · defector · double agent · mole · sleeper agent · walk-in · dangle · honey trap
encryption
Converting data into code
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- cipherHidden writing system
- code breakingSolving encrypted messages
cybersecurity · cyberespionage · malware · cryptography · secure communication · steganography · burner phone · satellite imagery · hacking · zero-day exploit
eavesdropping
Secretly listening to others
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- shadowingFollowing to observe
tailing · stakeout · intercept · reconnaissance · tracking · listening device · hidden camera · phone tap · monitoring · observation
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
mole hunt
Search for internal spy
- vettingEvaluating suitability through investigation
- polygraphPhysiological response recorder
- security clearanceAuthorization for classified access
compartmentalization · disinformation · double cross · triple agent · need-to-know · security sweep · bug sweep
- espionagespies, double agent, double agents, moles, secret agents
- Spycraftagent, asset, covert, handler, clandestine
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- secretssecrecy, secret, trade secret, secrets, confidential
- Cyberwarfarecyberattack, cyber warfare, cyberwar, cyber attack, cyber weapons
- signals intelligenceSIGINT, signals intelligence, intercept, interception, intercepts
spycrafttransparency
State of being see-through
public disclosure · openness · public relations · freedom of information · declassification
spycraftdiplomatic protocol
Formal international conduct rules
foreign service · treaty negotiation · state visits · diplomatic immunity
spycraftjournalism
News gathering and dissemination
academic research · investigative reporting · library science · survey research
spy, craft, crafty, spying, craftsman, craftsmanship, craftiness, espionage, spyglass