counterintelligence
KOWN-ter-in-te-li-jen-sens
Definition
The practice of gathering information and conducting activities to prevent a hostile foreign power from gathering intelligence, sabotaging, or otherwise harming one's own national security.
Etymology
The word is a compound of the prefix 'counter-' (meaning 'against' or 'opposite') and 'intelligence' (information gathered by secret agents), emerging in the mid-20th century to describe the defensive effort against espionage.
In the news
The article describes the Department of Justice as the nation's primary counterintelligence agency, noting that the Bulk Data Security Program is ultimately a counterintelligence tool designed to stop adversaries from weaponizing personal data.
Closing the Front Door: The Case for DOJ’s Bulk Data Security Program
Read the full article ↗Lawfare