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   Email pageContact Us     q ie  site  output  client  lr  proxystylesheet  oe    Site Search          function clearInstructions(field) { if (field.defaultValue==field.value) field.value = "" }      HomeCareersThe ThreatsWhat You Can DoAbout UsMI5 HistoryNews      > Home> The Threats> Espionage> How do spies operate?    How do spies operate?  Spies working for states fall into two categories: intelligence officers and agents.

   

  An intelligence officer is a person who is a member of an intelligence service. He or she will be highly trained in espionage techniques and the use of agents. Intelligence officers may operate openly as a representative of a friendly intelligence service. Alternatively, they may operate covertly under the cover of some other position, such as diplomatic staffs or trade delegations. In some cases they may operate in "deep cover" under false names and nationalities. Such spies are dubbed "illegals" because they operate without any of the protections offered by diplomatic immunity. In the UK, an agent, more formally known as a "covert human intelligence source," is an individual who clandestinely provides information to an intelligence officer. He or she will probably not be a professional "spy" but may have some basic instruction in espionage methods. An agent may be motivated by a wide variety of personal or ideological factors. Confusion often arises between what is meant by an officer and an agent. Other countries use the same terminology in different ways. In the United States, for instance, an agent is a member of an intelligence or security agency such as the FBI or CIA. Such agencies call a covert human intelligence source an "informant" rather than an "agent."

 Intelligence officers seek to gather covert intelligence directly and to recruit agents to obtain intelligence on their behalf. Foreign intelligence services typically seek to establish networks of agents whom they can use over a sustained period of time, so that they can obtain a reliable flow of information.

 The methods used by intelligence officers vary widely, and are often limited only by their ingenuity. They will often take advantage of the latest technology, using it to eavesdrop, tap telephone calls and communicate secretly. However, the human relationship between an intelligence officer and his or her agents remains a key element of espionage.

 Agents operate by exploiting trusted relationships and positions to obtain sensitive information. They may also look for vulnerabilities in handling secrets. If they are insiders, they may be aware of flaws in their organisation's security that they can exploit.

         Key points  Espionage is carried out principally by trained intelligence officers.Spies often use networks of agents to obtain information.Spies seek to exploit trusted relationships and privileged positions within organisations.    Links   How the Service works to counter these threats Security advice How you can help us     Share this information?  Diggde.licio.usRedditStumbleupon      In this section...OverviewTerrorismEspionageWhat is espionage?Which countries use espionage?What kind of information do spies seek?How do spies operate?Espionage and the lawHow does MI5 tackle espionage?Notable spy casesProliferation of WMDOther Issues (former threats)   Terms and ConditionsPrivacy PolicyResources and LinksGlossary© Crown Copyright 2009Back To Top