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A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

cia.gov

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Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#31

Post by Applejinx »

boppo1 wrote: post #10
pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Maybe it’s bad advice that ne’er-do-wells will try to employ, leaving them susceptible to the CIA.

On the contrary: my guess is that it is a method for people to familiarize themselves with the whole topic of tradecraft, knowing that ALL countries have put great effort into exactly this in recent years.

There's just so many spooks and bad actors about. Having some familiarity makes for a more educated populace who are going to be more wary of being manipulated, so there is really no reason to try and reserve this information for an elite. Because the bad actors are very grateful when you do: they will prosper in a field of targets all of whom are super naive.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#32

Post by Animats »

pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Have you seen the CIA World Facebook?[1] That goes much further.

[1] https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#33

Post by qup »

Animats wrote: post #32
pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Have you seen the CIA World Facebook?[1] That goes much further. [1] https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

> CIA World Facebook

That sent shivers down my spine, but then I realized that's just Facebook.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#34

Post by brigandish »

logicallee wrote: post #8
pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

>Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I think this is great for branding. All you ever hear is negative stuff. They should publish more in their own name and on their own site.

I for one am quite happy that they're unable to make their "brand" look better.

The other day I wondered to myself what would happen if all of the secrets held by agencies like the CIA or MI6 were to be exposed, all at once. I doubt it would be bad for the likes of you or me.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#36

Post by than3 »

boppo1 wrote: post #10
pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Maybe it’s bad advice that ne’er-do-wells will try to employ, leaving them susceptible to the CIA.

Regardless, they have an interesting but relatively sordid history.

Its probably just to drive interest for recruitment since tensions are escalating geopolitically and they are probably finding their projections show they are understaffed. Skilled labor isn't as easy to come by as corporations make it out to be (with everything being replaceable).

Anything published like this would be considered a poison the well attack by any ne'er do wells.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#37

Post by kjellsbells »

polytely wrote: post #13
pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Recruitment, they need to be cool to attract the people they want as employees

Its always struck me as a little odd that their recruitment (at least, their public recruitment) is focused on young people, new grads, etc. I wonder why they dont publicly try to recruit people who have been in industries or domains for years, eg pick up people working at Qualcomm who already have good reason to be traveling across the world and meeting people.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#38

Post by hollerith »

kjellsbells wrote: post #37
polytely wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Recruitment, they need to be cool to attract the people they want as employees

Its always struck me as a little odd that their recruitment (at least, their public recruitment) is focused on young people, new grads, etc. I wonder why they dont publicly try to recruit people who have been in industries or domains for years, eg pick up people working at Qualcomm who already have good reason to be traveling across the world and meeting people.

One consideration is that hiring people at the start of their working lives minimizes the number of people they need to trust with sensitive information. Another: the younger the person, the less averse they tend to be to risk their lives.

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#39

Post by HWR_14 »

kjellsbells wrote: post #37
polytely wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Recruitment, they need to be cool to attract the people they want as employees

Its always struck me as a little odd that their recruitment (at least, their public recruitment) is focused on young people, new grads, etc. I wonder why they dont publicly try to recruit people who have been in industries or domains for years, eg pick up people working at Qualcomm who already have good reason to be traveling across the world and meeting people.

Isn't most public recruitment aimed at young, new grads? Is there a "mid-career come work at Goldman Sachs" recruitment pitch they put out to the general public?

Re: A Tradecraft Primer (2009)

#40

Post by dredmorbius »

pinkcan wrote: post #3

I understand this document is from 2009, not secret, and probably contains information known elsewhere. Still, what is the intent of the CIA in publishing this on the open web? I assume they would be able to distribute this to US nationals even in other orgs through internal networks.

Among other possiblities: working with independent assets for whom some modicum of tradecraft is advisable, but who would not able to attain standard clearances, and for whom the fact that the content is openly available online might itself serve as plausible cover should it be determined they've viewed or accessed it.

There's also the open source (software, not intelligence) model of many eyes and being able to achieve open review of techniques.

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