Counterintelligence, the gathering of state secrets and distribution to outside sources, may bring about visions of spies in tuxedos, driving sleek cars. However, counterintelligence is no longer just about spies stealing government secrets; today, our nation’s adversaries pursue their goals through any means necessary, including non-traditional actors such as hackers, researchers, businesspeople, and front companies.
These actors seek to acquire U.S. information, technology, and other valuable assets, which are primarily owned by the private sector rather than the government. To protect the United States from rising threats such as economic espionage, we must have collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and friendly foreign partners. Once an adversary has acquired information, this damage cannot be undone, so above all we must prevent harm by identifying and protecting our vital assets.
Join us as E.W. "Bill" Priestap, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, discusses the scope and threat of counterintelligence in the 21st century.
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