tradecraft
Spy's professional skills
Tradecraft is the techniques and methods used in espionage—surveillance, dead drops, coded communication, creating cover identities.
The term comes from intelligence work but extends to any specialized professional skills: She learned the tradecraft of investigative journalism.
It implies practical expertise passed down within a profession rather than formal training.
False explanation for actions
- false flagOperation disguised as enemy's
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
disinformation · plausible deniability · feint · honeypot · provocation · ruse · pretexting · double agent
Secret exchange location
- safe houseSecret secure refuge
- exfiltrationCovert withdrawal of people/data
- brush passSurreptitious walking exchange
- cut-outShape removed by scissors
legends · alias · incognito · infiltration · concealment · stealth · shadowing · ghosting
Questioning following an operation
- elicitationDrawing forth information
- HUMINTIntelligence from people
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- vettingEvaluating suitability through investigation
assessment · targeting · collection · analysis · case officer · handler · operational security · need-to-know
Hidden writing system
- steganographyHiding data within media
- codebookDocument listing codes' meanings
- encryptionConverting data into code
- secret writingConcealed textual communication
microdot · invisible ink · cryptography · secure channel · coded message · signal
Prolonged covert observation
- tailRear animal appendage
- shadowingFollowing to observe
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
wiretap · eavesdropping · reconnaissance · countersurveillance · overwatch · observation post · dead letter box · listening device
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- masteryComplete skill or control
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
acumen · know-how · precision · competence · fieldcraft · methodology · discipline · experience
cover story
False explanation for actions
- false flagOperation disguised as enemy's
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
subterfuge · disinformation · plausible deniability · feint · honeypot · provocation · ruse · pretexting · double agent · triple agent
dead drop
Secret exchange location
- safe houseSecret secure refuge
- exfiltrationCovert withdrawal of people/data
- brush passSurreptitious walking exchange
cut-out · legends · alias · incognito · infiltration · concealment · stealth · shadowing · ghosting · evasion
debriefing
Questioning following an operation
- elicitationDrawing forth information
- HUMINTIntelligence from people
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
vetting · assessment · targeting · collection · analysis · case officer · handler · operational security · need-to-know · compartmentalization
cipher
Hidden writing system
- steganographyHiding data within media
- codebookDocument listing codes' meanings
- encryptionConverting data into code
secret writing · microdot · invisible ink · cryptography · secure channel · coded message · signal
stakeout
Prolonged covert observation
bugging · wiretap · eavesdropping · reconnaissance · countersurveillance · overwatch · observation post · dead letter box · listening device · sweep
expertise
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- masteryComplete skill or control
finesse · acumen · know-how · precision · competence · fieldcraft · methodology · discipline · experience · instinct
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
- security termsPIN, password, passwords, encryption, encrypted
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- Spycraftspy, agent, asset, covert, handler
- classified inteltop secret, classified, classified documents, state secrets, military secrets
tradecrafttransparency
State of being see-through
official channels · openness · public relations · public affairs · candor
tradecraftanalysis
Methodical study of parts
policy · intelligence analysis · desk work · strategic planning · policymaking
tradecraftamateurism
Nonexpert or unpaid status
incompetence · bungling · carelessness · sloppiness · amateur hour
trade, craft, tradition, traitor, trader, trading, traditional, treason, witchcraft