Introduction

Background

History

Types of Espionage

Epsionage Methods

Social Impact

References

My P.O.V.

Much of what is written about espionage and the gathering and creation of intelligence is fantasy (Laffin). Spy novels, TV shows, movies as well as journalistic pieces and historical propaganda have created a less than realistic or favorable vision of what spies do. These presentations bear little resemblance to reality; this portion of the site attempts to capture a more realistic view of what a spy can and actually is able to do.

A special agent or spy is the employee of an intelligence officer, who wants/needs information that is secret or protected by its owner from public disclosure (Hitz, F). The term spy is very broad and generally includes anyone within the field of intelligence gathering and convert operation; agents perform a wide range of secret and covert activities. Spies usually work for an ‘agency’ in an attempt to advance that ‘agency’s’ cause. This is true for spies working for a government who wants information on one of their rivals, an agency that is trying to combat crime or for someone trying to gain information about a competitor or family member. In these examples that ‘agency’ can include a National intelligence agency, rival company, the FBI, or local detective agency. Different types of espionage and their cause are further discussed in the, Types of Espionage section of this site. Within each type of espionage, there are a wide range of roles that spies can play. Although James Bond seems to play them all in his movies, the truth is that an agent (spy) usually specializes in one specific field. Types of spies within these fields include: the courier, the gatherer (field agent), the analyst, and the assassin.

The Gatherer or Field Agent is the person who actually gains access to secret information, gathers the requested information for their agency. This may include video, pictures, computer files, audio information or a range of other types. This person uses an enormous range of equipment and technology, including, but not limited to: cameras, communications devices and encoded techniques, listening devices, concealment techniques, weapons, and surreptitious entry equipment. As technology increases, this equipment becomes more and more complicated and more and more interesting. The Methods of Espionage section of this site introduces the technologies and has an in depth examination of some of the most recent and ‘cool’ espionage developments.

The Courier is a spy who maintains contact between a gather and the home agency. This person is the in-between person. The Courier carries secret materials for an agency. They also acts as an intermediary between members of the agency, this action increases the security of the spy network, by preventing direct contact between its members.

The Analyst evaluates all the information gathered by field agents, couriers and other members of their agency. Analysts combine information gathered from these and other sources, review it and then report on their findings. These agents create intelligence from data collected through espionage. As the technology age becomes more and more prevalent, the duties of the analyst have become more and more important. The age of computing based intelligence, means the analyst must gather, organize, decipher and report on a lot more information in a much shorter period of time.

The Assassin within an intelligence agency is to exert power through murder. Assassins attempt to eliminate enemies or persons who know more than they should about a particular agency, agent or topic. In the United States, the CIA is prohibited, under an executive order, to use assassination techniques. However, there are many other types of espionage agencies that still choose to use this technique.

In many movies, novels and TV shows there is one central character to takes on the roles of all of these spies. When investigating how much each of these jobs entails, it soon becomes evident that without help none of these positions could independently exist. James Bond must have a lot of clones out there if he is able to carry out all that the movies say he does. This just shows the difference between fiction and non-fiction.

This site created for UNIV 270 at Bucknell University Spring 2005

Direct all questions and comments to ebeesing@bucknell.edu