Defining Counterintelligence
I've written about counterintelligence (CI) before, but I realized today that some of my writing, and the writing of others, may be confused as to exactly what CI means. The authoritative place to find an American definition for CI is the United States National Counterintelligence and Security Center . I am more familiar with the old name of this organization, the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive (ONCIX). The 2016 National Counterintelligence Strategy cites Executive Order 12333 (as amended) for its definition of CI: Counterintelligence – Information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations, or persons, or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities. (emphasis added) The strict interpretation of this definition is counteri...