Editing Espionage (section)

{{Short description|Clandestine acquisition of confidential information}}
{{Other uses}}
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{{Intelligence}}{{Criminal law}}

'''Espionage''', '''spying''', or '''intelligence gathering''', as a subfield of the [[intelligence field]], is the act of obtaining secret or [[Confidentiality|confidential information]] ([[Intelligence (information)|intelligence]]). A person who commits espionage on a mission-specific contract is called an '''''espionage agent''''' or '''''spy'''''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Espionage|url=https://www.mi5.gov.uk/espionage|publisher=[[MI5]]}}</ref> A person who commits espionage as a fully employed officer of a government is called an [[intelligence officer]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Language of Espionage |url=https://www.spymuseum.org/education-programs/spy-resources/language-of-espionage/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=International Spy Museum |language=en}}</ref> Any individual or spy ring (a cooperating group of spies), in the service of a [[government]], [[company]], [[criminal organization]], or independent operation, can commit espionage. The practice is [[Clandestine operation|clandestine]], as it is by definition unwelcome. In some circumstances, it may be a legal tool of [[law enforcement]] and in others, it may be [[Crime|illegal]] and punishable by law.

Espionage is often part of an institutional effort by a government or commercial concern. However, the term tends to be associated with state spying on potential or actual enemies for [[Military intelligence|military]] purposes. Spying involving [[corporation]]s is known as [[corporate espionage]].

One way to gather data and information about a targeted organization is by infiltrating its ranks. Spies can then return information such as the size and strength of [[enemy force]]s. They can also find [[dissident]]s within the organization and influence them to provide further information or to defect.<ref>Fischbacher-Smith, D., 2011. "The enemy has passed through the gate: Insider threats, the dark triad, and the challenges around security". ''Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance'', 2(2), pp. 134–156.</ref> In times of crisis, spies steal technology and [[sabotage]] the enemy in various ways. [[Counterintelligence]] is the practice of thwarting enemy espionage and intelligence-gathering. Almost all [[sovereign state]]s have strict laws concerning espionage, including those who practice espionage in other countries, and the penalties for being caught are often severe.[[File:Wolkowski-Craucher.jpg|thumb|Madame [[Minna Craucher]] (''right''), a Finnish [[socialite]] and spy, with her chauffeur Boris Wolkowski (''left'') in 1930s]]