Describing the Spy: Office Espionage Part 10
The CIA and the NSA have built a fair profile of what a spy may “look like.”
- A Bachelors Degree, rarely more.
- Solid academic record, not outstanding.
- Interest in inter-business and international affairs.
- Solid interpersonal skills.
- Solid communication skills.
- Frequent traveler.
- Interest in foreign languages.
- Prior residence outside the area.
- Possible prior military experience.
- Experience in business and/or economics (but with deficit skills in their own finance management).
- The person is usually between the ages of 21-35.
- Previous work in law enforcement or corrections.
- May be considered a loner, not a joiner.
- No police record.
- Hobbies include martial arts, scuba, hunting, proficiency with firearms, chess, math, avid reader, may write prolifically or play a musical instrument, etc.
- The person may be interested in training manuals and field guides.
In other words, just about anybody who would make a good employee. The key is to look for unusual groupings of these skills. Most people will meet 3 or 4 of the criteria. Those who meet 6 or more should be considered possible candidates.
What about a corporate spy?
Domestic corporations are now recruiting “competitive intelligence practitioners” to help them learn more about activities within other firms in their industry as well as to help protect themselves against spies from competitors. As a part of their work, these specialists try to probe within the ranks of their employer - just to see how easy it would be for outsiders. Then they try to plug the leaks before actual spies from other companies can do real damage.
It’s not really cloak and dagger stuff. It’s more along the lines of “I’ve learned everything I can from you. Now I’m going to use this as leverage for more money somewhere else.”
This section completes a ten part series concerning confidentiality and security.
Describing A Spy
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=415
Office Traitors
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=414
Business Brain Cramps
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=413
Starbucks Espionage
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=412
Recording Devices
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=411
Cell and Cordless Phones
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=410
Hacking Passwords
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=409
Pop-In Spooking
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=407
Office Espionage
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=408
Waste Archeology
http://elementaltruths.com/?p=406
Security Overview