All about spies

Spy?

Image source: Times of India

In the intelligence world, a spy is strictly defined as someone used to steal secrets for an intelligence organization. Also called an agent or asset, a spy is not a professional intelligence officer, and doesn't usually receive formal training (5)

A double agent is essentially someone who works for two sides.

An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile or analyze information (known as intelligence) which is of use to that organization. The word of officer is a working title, not a rank, used in the same way a "police officer" can also be a sergeant, or in the military, in which non-commissioned personnel may serve as intelligence officers (6).

A detective or investigator works in the field of law enforcement, looking for clues and evidence (usually quite openly) as part of solving a crime. Think Sherlock Homes, or famed FBI agent Melvin Purvis who hunted down gangsters in the 1930s. A spy (or intelligence officer), however, gathers information (usually in secret) about the activities or intentions of a rival government or group in support of national security (5).

Counterintelligence activities, such as espionage or covert action, aim to prevent other spies from obtaining secrets, and to protect secrets and security against the efforts of other spies. (5)

Espionage is defined as the act of spying or using spies, agents, assets, and intelligence officers, as well as technology, to collect secret information, usually through illegal means.

Intelligence officers often operate abroad under some form of official cover, perhaps as diplomats in an embassy. Others operate without the protection of their government and must create a convincing cover that explains their presence and activities in a country—a businessperson, perhaps, or a student.

Cyber espionage involves using computer systems to steal classified information, often government secrets.

Undercover agent. (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors (8).

Honey traps, a covert technique used in intelligence operations, involve the use of seduction or sexual appeal to extract information, gain leverage, or manipulate individuals for various purposes.

Did you know that Russian president Putin worked as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel before resigning in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg?

A spy can carry a gun. However, the majority of them do not. Spies are all about stealth and covertness, and guns attract attention. A spy's greatest weapon is not being noticed. Moreover, getting caught with a weapon will invite scrutiny that a spy doesn't want.

Despite a reliance on UKSF for special operations, SIS operatives still receive training in the use of firearms, including pistols and submachine guns. It would be rare, however, for an SIS Intelligence Officer to fire or even carry a firearm in the line of duty (2).

But, yes, all secret service agents of the FBI and secret service policemen carry guns.

There are five kinds of spy: The local spy, the inside spy, the reverse spy, the dead spy, and the living spy. When the five kinds of spies are all active, no one knows their routes - this is called organizational genius, and is valuable to the leadership. Local spies are hired from among the people of a locality.

Agents are allowed to carry personal weapons, provided they do not violate the policies regarding firearms. What kind of gun do secret agents use?

SIG-Sauer P229 pistol: (. 357 hollowpoint) This is the standard sidearm for all Special Agents and Uniformed Division officers. Agents and officers are required to qualify for this pistol monthly.(1).

The IB ACIO Officer can carry a service revolver during field duty. They must ensure the gun should be kept in a secret bag.

The vast majority of CIA officers do not carry weapons. Aside from officers in the Security Protective Service, or those serving in war zones, most CIA officers will never be issued a gun (4).

The, special investigation service (people) - SIS is authorized to carry "any weapon in any caliber previously approved for LAPD use" (such as Kimber, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, and Glock pistols in 9×19mm, .45 ACP, and .40 S&W), but they are known to use the following weaponry (3):

• Glock 21 and Glock 30
• Backup guns including the Glock 36, S&W 457, S&W 649, S&W 442, and S&W M&P Bodyguard 380

What gadgets do spies use? So, so many. You can see many of them throughout the exhibit space (7). They range from the super high tech to the very low tech, but every one of them tells its own story (5).

In the end I think it depends on the agency, type of work, different countries and their secret services, where they work and their strategies.

Footnotes:

1. Do all Secret Service have guns?.

2. The Secret Intelligence Service.

3. LAPD Special Investigation Section - Wikipedia.

4. https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/top-10-cia-myths/

5. Espionage Facts

6. Intelligence officer - Wikipedia

7. https://www.spymuseum.org/exhibition-experiences/

8. https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/undercover%20agent#:~:text=De...