WorldJuly 15, 2026
counterintelligence
/ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtɛlədʒəns/
Definition
The act of identifying, monitoring, and neutralizing the surveillance, espionage, or cyber-threat activities conducted by hostile actors or organizations.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'counter-' meaning 'against' and the noun 'intelligence' referring to secret information gathering. The term emerged in the early 20th century to describe the defensive methods used to obstruct enemy intelligence operations.
In the news
In the article, the term describes Ron Deibert’s efforts to defend civil society by uncovering and mitigating digital threats from governments and corporations. It highlights his proactive role in protecting human rights activists from sophisticated cyber espionage.
Provost and VP Academic
Read the full article ↗Simon Fraser University