CDASA Counterintelligence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a CI-scope polygraph examination in the defense intelligence community?
- To verify an individual's true identity before granting initial security clearances
- To detect deceptive responses related to espionage, sabotage, and unauthorized disclosure of classified information (Correct answer)
- To assess the psychological fitness of intelligence officers for high-stress assignments
- To screen individuals for potential undisclosed terrorist affiliations or contacts
Correct answer: To detect deceptive responses related to espionage, sabotage, and unauthorized disclosure of classified information
A CI-scope polygraph is specifically designed to identify deception regarding involvement in espionage, sabotage, unauthorized contact with foreign intelligence services, and unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
Question 2: Which intelligence collection discipline does counterintelligence most directly seek to protect against when neutralizing foreign human source networks?
- SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
- GEOINT (Geospatial Intelligence)
- HUMINT (Human Intelligence) (Correct answer)
- MASINT (Measurement and Signature Intelligence)
Correct answer: HUMINT (Human Intelligence)
CI is most directly focused on countering HUMINT operations, where foreign intelligence services use human agents and officers to collect intelligence from or about U.S. personnel and facilities.
Question 3: How is a 'double agent' operation defined in counterintelligence doctrine?
- Assigning two intelligence officers to independently conduct the same surveillance operation
- Recruiting a foreign intelligence asset who also retains employment with the adversary agency
- Using an individual controlled by friendly CI to engage with and report on the adversary's intelligence service (Correct answer)
- Running parallel collection operations against the same target using different disciplines simultaneously
Correct answer: Using an individual controlled by friendly CI to engage with and report on the adversary's intelligence service
A double agent is an individual who, while ostensibly working for a foreign intelligence service, is actually controlled by friendly CI to feed information to or gather information from the adversary.
Question 4: In CI planning, 'operational security' (OPSEC) primarily aims to accomplish which objective?
- Ensure all classified information is encrypted before transmission over any network
- Deny adversaries information about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities (Correct answer)
- Detect and disrupt foreign signals intelligence collection directed at U.S. operations
- Establish secure protocols for sharing intelligence with international partner nations
Correct answer: Deny adversaries information about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities
OPSEC is a systematic process used to deny adversaries information about friendly capabilities and intentions that could be exploited to their advantage.
Question 5: What is 'social engineering' as it applies to CI threat recognition?
- Using technical software tools to bypass encrypted security on classified systems
- Manipulating individuals through psychological or interpersonal tactics to divulge sensitive information (Correct answer)
- Developing convincing cover stories and legends for intelligence officers operating undercover
- Creating false documentation to deceive foreign intelligence services about U.S. capabilities
Correct answer: Manipulating individuals through psychological or interpersonal tactics to divulge sensitive information
Social engineering exploits human psychology — trust, authority, urgency, or curiosity — to manipulate individuals into voluntarily revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access.
Question 6: What is the primary role of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC)?
- Conducting clandestine collection operations against foreign intelligence services on U.S. soil
- Leading and supporting the U.S. government's counterintelligence and security activities across the IC (Correct answer)
- Managing the personnel security adjudication process for all federal employees requiring clearances
- Operating all federal polygraph examination programs for security screening purposes
Correct answer: Leading and supporting the U.S. government's counterintelligence and security activities across the IC
The NCSC, part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, serves as the national authority for CI and security, leading and supporting CI and security activities across the IC and U.S. government.
Question 7: Which term describes the practice of a foreign intelligence service using online platforms and professional networking sites to identify and make initial contact with potential intelligence recruits?
- Cyber exploitation
- Open-source collection
- LinkedIn approach or social media targeting (Correct answer)
- Cover for action
Correct answer: LinkedIn approach or social media targeting
Foreign intelligence services increasingly use social media and professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to identify persons of interest, assess their suitability for recruitment, and make initial contact under seemingly innocent pretexts.
CDASA Counterintelligence 2
What is the primary purpose of a CI-scope polygraph examination in the defense intelligence community?