CFA CFA Asset Recruitment & Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a 'cutout' in asset handling?
- To sever direct contact between a handler and asset, protecting both from exposure (Correct answer)
- To provide financial payments to an asset without receipts
- To conduct surveillance on a potentially compromised asset
- To relay false information to the opposing service
Correct answer: To sever direct contact between a handler and asset, protecting both from exposure
A cutout is an intermediary who insulates the handler from the asset so that if one is compromised, the other is not immediately exposed.
Question 2: How should a handler immediately respond upon learning that an asset has reported being surveilled?
- Suspend all contact immediately and initiate emergency protocols to assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Instruct the asset to continue normal activities to avoid arousing suspicion
- Arrange an immediate in-person meeting to debrief the asset
- Transfer the asset to a different handler without delay
Correct answer: Suspend all contact immediately and initiate emergency protocols to assess the situation
Suspending contact and initiating emergency security protocols protects both the asset and the operation from potential compromise.
Question 3: What is the term for an asset who has been secretly turned by an opposing intelligence service and is now feeding disinformation?
- Double agent (Correct answer)
- Sleeper agent
- Notional asset
- Compromised cutout
Correct answer: Double agent
A double agent appears to work for one service while actually being controlled by or loyal to the opposing service, often feeding disinformation.
Question 4: What is 'compartmentalization' in the context of managing multiple assets?
- Ensuring each asset knows only what is necessary for their specific role and does not know other assets or operations (Correct answer)
- Filing asset records in separate locked compartments
- Assigning each asset to a different geographic region
- Rotating handlers among assets on a regular schedule
Correct answer: Ensuring each asset knows only what is necessary for their specific role and does not know other assets or operations
Compartmentalization limits each asset's knowledge to their specific operational lane, so that compromise of one asset does not expose the entire network.
Question 5: What is the primary security risk of meeting an asset at their workplace?
- The meeting may be observed by colleagues, surveillance cameras, or security personnel, exposing both parties (Correct answer)
- The asset may demand higher compensation in a familiar environment
- Workplace meetings are prohibited under US federal law
- The handler may be recognized by the asset's supervisor
Correct answer: The meeting may be observed by colleagues, surveillance cameras, or security personnel, exposing both parties
Meeting at a workplace significantly increases the risk of observation by colleagues, security systems, or countersurveillance, potentially compromising both the asset and the operation.
Question 6: Which method is most secure for passing instructions to an asset in a denied area?
- Dead drop (Correct answer)
- Telephone call
- Email via personal account
- In-person brush pass in a public area
Correct answer: Dead drop
A dead drop is the most secure method in denied areas because it requires no direct contact between the handler and asset, eliminating the risk of both being observed together.
CFA CFA Asset Recruitment & Handling 2
What is the primary purpose of a 'cutout' in asset handling?