Concept in Definition ABC

Spies, secret services, intrigues, conspiracy and war are terms linked to espionage, a phenomenon that has been taking place since ancient times.

Espionage is based on one idea: getting useful information from an enemy in order to defend interests.

Espionage has multiple faces, the main ones being those related to wars and international conflicts and, in another sense, what is known as industrial espionage.

Secret services

All countries have some body dedicated to espionage, although the official name is different (usually the term intelligence service is used intelligence, since the word espionage has negative connotations).

The CIA, the old KGB, the Israeli Mossad or the Stasi of the old Democratic Republic German are clear examples of institutions dedicated to espionage. These organisms they are kept to a level of discretion and usually do not communicate what their true functions are. However, you have a fairly rough idea of ​​what its functions are: to identify the possible enemies of a

nation (for example, terrorist groups that are in hiding) and obtain any information relevant (related to weapons or about potentially political and social movements dangerous).

The secrecy and mystery that surrounds espionage has aroused great attraction and for this reason the movie theater and the literature they have dealt with this type of plot (James Bond is probably the most popular fictional spy internationally). In the fictional world, the spy has some common characteristics: a identity hidden or a double life, extraordinary qualities and a halo of mystery.

Industrial espionage

Companies may also be interested in obtaining information from competitors, for example on the design of a new prototype to be launched on the market. To combat industrial espionage, computer programs are created that guarantee the safety and hinder the action of spies, who in the corporate world are known as hackers and are the protagonists of cyber espionage, the modern version of classic espionage.

Regarding measures to prevent cyber espionage, experts recommend some strategies: encrypt information, use alternative operating systems to conventional ones, erase the trace of the information consulted and use passwords safe.

Topics in Espionage