Counterintelligence & Threat Awareness Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of counterintelligence (CI)?

Answer: To identify, detect, and neutralize foreign intelligence threats

Counterintelligence is focused on identifying, assessing, and neutralizing the intelligence collection efforts, sabotage, and other threats posed by foreign intelligence entities.

Which term describes an individual who appears to work for one intelligence service while actually working for an opposing service?

Answer: Double agent

A double agent is someone who is ostensibly working for one intelligence service but is actually under the control of or reporting to an opposing service.

What is 'elicitation' as used in counterintelligence contexts?

Answer: Covertly extracting information through seemingly normal conversation

Elicitation is a technique where an adversary subtly draws out sensitive information during casual or professional conversations without the subject realizing they are being exploited.

In the context of CI, what does the acronym MICE stand for?

Answer: Money, Ideology, Coercion, Ego

MICE (Money, Ideology, Coercion, Ego) is a framework used to understand the motivations that may lead individuals to commit espionage or become insider threats.

What is a 'mole' in counterintelligence terminology?

Answer: A spy who has penetrated a target organization from within

A mole is a long-term penetration agent who has been recruited or placed inside a target organization to pass sensitive information to a foreign intelligence service over time.

Which CI activity involves presenting false or misleading information to confuse or deceive an adversary's intelligence collection efforts?

Answer: Deception operations

Deception operations deliberately feed adversaries false or misleading information to manipulate their understanding, decisions, and intelligence products.

What does 'tradecraft' refer to in intelligence and counterintelligence?

Answer: The skills, methods, and procedures used by intelligence professionals

Tradecraft encompasses the techniques, methods, and professional practices that intelligence officers use to carry out their operational responsibilities, including covert communications, cover, and surveillance.