In the modern era, companies often hire contractors to spy on their competitors. These are usually former government spies, who use their skills to make money on the side.
The practice of espionage is old and controversial. Some believe it is essential to national security, while others argue that itโs morally ํฅ์ ์ deplorable.
History
Espionage has been an important undertaking for nations since ancient times. For example, the Book of Joshua records that Joshua sent two spies to reconnoiter the land before conquering Palestine. And the ancient Chinese sage Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War, discusses spy tactics. In the modern era, espionage grew in importance as the world was divided between capitalist and communist nations. Countries formed dedicated intelligence agencies to protect themselves from each other.
During the Cold War, spies were on constant alert as each side sought to discover the other’s military and industrial secrets. This heightened the danger of a worldwide war. The United States and the Soviet Union had their own infamous spies, such as Alger Hiss, Whittaker Chambers, the Rosenberg case, and Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 flight over the Soviet Union in 1960.
During the same period, governments have also used the threat of espionage as a thinly veiled excuse to persecute citizens on the basis of political ideology, religious affiliation or ethnic heritage. Although the United States has largely avoided this type of persecution, it does employ a large intelligence agency to protect its national security. Several European countries have similar agencies. In addition to these, a number of private companies have spies on their payrolls to help them keep competitors from stealing their trade secrets.
Targets
During the Cold War, when the world was divided between two hostile superpowers, espionage was a major undertaking for most nations. Embassies and consulates served as bases for intelligence gathering. The United States and the Soviet Union both had their own agents attempting to steal each other’s secrets.
Spies are often recruited because of ideological disagreement with their home country. Money is also a common motivator. Recruiters look for people in menial positions with access to important information. They are often given training to conceal their identities. They are then sent out into the field to collect data for their handlers.
Today’s spies have far more sophisticated tools at their disposal. Instead of a dead drop and a balaclava, they have access to a laptop and off-the-shelf software. According to Eric O’Neill, a National Security Specialist at Carbon Black, “the contemporary battle is fought with keyboards and software rather than dead drops and wire taps.”
Cyber warfare is the new arena for espionage. Spies use computers to steal classified information for economic and political gain. The information can be gathered from government agencies, private corporations and even individuals. It is collected using a variety of techniques, including malware and social engineering. The information can be used to disrupt operations, damage reputation and steal intellectual property. It is a growing threat that must be taken seriously by governments, corporations and individuals.
Methods
The methods of espionage have evolved as much as the world around them. Giambattista della Porta, a Renaissance man whose work touched on math, optics, alchemy, astrology, and memory, wrote in his best seller “Natural Magic” that the secrets of invisible ink and cryptography should be kept hidden only for great men and princes.
Spies are trained professionals, specializing in various disciplines and posing as other people (HUMINT). They can operate openly by declaring themselves to be agents of the host nation’s intelligence services or covertly by operating without official cover — posing as diplomatic staff, trade delegates or journalists for example.
Intelligence gathering has been a major government undertaking since the English Civil War, American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. It was greatly accelerated during World War I, when conditions in neutral countries favored spying and Britain established MI5 and MI6. Military espionage continued to play a significant role in the wars of the twentieth century.
With modern warfare fought on the global stage, nations need access to technology as well as military assets and personnel. That means cyber espionage is an increasing threat. It’s a highly complex and dangerous game, and experts like Eric O’Neill, National Security Specialist at Carbon Black, say that many organizations are not taking it seriously enough. In 2009, for example, a group of hackers code-named Scarlet Mimic launched an assault on computer systems in the United States to collect information about rights activists.
Punishment
When caught, those who commit espionage face long prison sentences or even the death penalty in some countries. The penalties can be more severe if the offender disclosed information that was considered closely held and a threat to national security. For example, a scientist who shared sensitive American technology with China was charged with espionage.
In the military, a service member who is found guilty of espionage can be punished by dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and lifelong confinement in prison. In addition, the offender may be subjected to a lifelong ban on applying for military or federal jobs.
In civilian cases, the penalties for committing espionage are less severe. However, a person can still be found guilty of espionage if prosecutors can show that:
At a specific time and place, the accused attempted to communicate some information (whether in the form of document, code book or signal) relating to national defense to a foreign government or its representative. This information was to be delivered in a particular manner.