Espionage definition dictionary
However, the benefits that can be gained through espionage are generally great enough that most governments and many large corporations make use of it to varying degrees.įurther information on clandestine HUMINT ( human intelligence) information collection techniques is available, including discussions of operational techniques, asset recruiting and the tradecraft used to collect this information. Nearly every country has very strict laws concerning espionage, and the penalty for being caught is often severe. Counterintelligence operatives can feed false information to enemy spies, protecting important domestic secrets and preventing attempts at subversion. In times of crisis, spies can also be used to steal technology and to sabotage the enemy in various ways. They can also find dissidents within the enemy's forces and influence them to defect. Spies can bring back all sorts of information concerning the size and strength of an enemy army. This is the job of the spy (espionage agent). One of the most effective ways to gather data and information about an enemy (or potential enemy) is by infiltrating the enemy's ranks. Spying involving corporations is known as industrial espionage. It is a subset of intelligence gathering-which otherwise may be conducted from public sources and using perfectly legal and ethical means.Įspionage is usually part of an institutional effort by a government or corporation, and the term is most readily associated with state spying on potential or actual enemies primarily for military purposes. Espionage is inherently clandestine, as it is taken for granted that it is unwelcome and, in many cases, illegal and punishable by law. Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage and Logistics Directorate analogical dictionaryįor other uses, see Espionage (disambiguation).Įspionage or spying involves a government or individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information.List of fictional espionage organizations.History of Soviet and Russian espionage in the United States.American espionage in the Soviet Union.2007 Formula One espionage controversy.2006 Georgian–Russian espionage controversy