Posts by Global Intelligence Knowledge Network
Terrorists, Lies and Missed Opportunities
The attack on the Crocus City Hall Concert venue in Moscow, Russia is playing out in newscasts, political statements, and terrorist media sites around the world. As a former Intelligence Officer who focussed a large portion of his career in counter terrorism investigations, I wanted to look at what has happened, what claims have been made…
Read MoreThe Art of Deception: Exploring the Parallels Between Cyber Espionage and Intelligence Social Engineering
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, witnessing an alarming surge in cyber-attacks, social engineering plays a pivotal role in various malicious activities. This includes phishing, smishing, spear phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and identity theft. Interestingly, the techniques employed in these cyber exploits bear a striking resemblance to the methods used by intelligence agencies to…
Read MoreKiller Spies: The Dark side of Intelligence
Explore the chilling evolution of intelligence-crafted assassinations over the last 25 years in my latest article, delving into high-profile cases and the disturbing tactics employed by global intelligence agencies. The recent extrajudicial executions of Hardeep Nijjar and the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun underscore the ongoing relevance of this dark aspect of intelligence operations.
Read MoreConfused Over the Debate of whether Canada needs a Foreign Intelligence Agency? You’re not alone!
The debate regarding whether Canada should have a separate Foreign Intelligence Service/Agency has been a recurring topic of debate in 2023. And with good reason! A quick look back on some of this year’s news headlines has given many Canadians reason to question if enough is being done by the Canadian Intelligence Community to ensure…
Read MoreLeave It to The Professionals
Having a mechanic who’s good at math doesn’t make them a certified professional accountant. You wouldn’t want them doing your financial planning, because they don’t have the education, training, or qualifications for the job. So, what does this have to do with the world of Intelligence? Intelligence professionals are highly skilled, highly trained and have…
Read MoreBuried Secrets: Tunnelling in Intelligence Gathering and Terrorist Activity
Introduction: Since the recent Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, numerous media articles have dissected the intricate network of tunnels beneath Gaza and how Hamas leveraged them for attacks and hostage-taking in Israeli settlements near tunnel access points. But this isn’t a new concept. In this article, we’ll explore the historical use of tunnels…
Read MoreHow OPSEC May Have Exposed Indian Agents in Canadian Murder Case
OPSEC, or Operational Security, is a term used by the International Intelligence Community regarding the process in which any information relating to an Intelligence Operation needs to be kept secure ensuring the information does not identify the actions or motives of the parties involved, nor compromise the clandestine nature of the operation. On September 21,…
Read MoreSchooling Spies: Where spies go to learn their trade
Well, it’s that time of year again! To the delight of some (and the sorrow of others), the return to academic studies is in full swing. From toddlers to teenagers to teachers, the school year is now here. And whether students are finishing a degree in social engineering or just learning how to be social…
Read MoreSpy vs Scammer: How a popular intelligence Tactic can save you from online fraudsters
“Moneypenny?!? Is that you?”
Read MoreWhen “Plausible Deniability” isn’t Plausible or Deniable
This week, former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer William Majcher had a bail hearing in the province of Quebec in relation to foreign interference charges against him. Majcher was arrested in Vancouver on July 20. According to open-source media, he is charged under the Security of Information Act for his involvement—supposedly occurring between 2014…
Read MoreTightening Espionage Laws with Loose Interpretations: Doing Business in China Has Just Got a Lot More Interesting
On July 1, 2023, while most folks in North America were gearing up for a long weekend of barbecues and fireworks to commemorate Canada Day (July 1st) and Independence Day (July 4th), the People’s Republic of China (PRC) passed new espionage-related legislation. The new laws have a level of ambiguity that is giving many foreign-based…
Read MoreDigitally Funded Destruction: Terrorism and Cryptocurrency
On June 27th, the Israeli Security and Intelligence organizations, including Mossad, reported the confiscation of millions of dollars of digital currency linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group. News articles stated that the operation was the first of its kind against cryptocurrency assets linked to the IRGC…
Read MorePrejudice and Pride: A History of the LGBTQ+ community and Intelligence
I am lucky to have completed a career in Security and Intelligence over 25 years. During that time, I’ve been fortunate to work with many amazing people from different cultures, ethnicities, races, sexual identifications, and sexual orientations. As we come to the end of Pride Month, I wanted to write an article regarding the tumultuous…
Read MoreWhat is “Ghouling,” and how is it utilized in intelligence?
Espionage and intelligence operations have always been shrouded in mystery, employing various covert tactics and methods to gain information. One such method that has often been utilized, albeit discreetly, is known as “ghouling.” In this article, I will delve into the topic of ghouling and how it is used in the worlds of espionage and…
Read MoreWhat’s a Game without Offence?
“Espionage is the ultimate mind game, where wits and intellect are the weapons, and the stakes are the balance of power.” – Unknown “Intelligence is the ultimate game-changer, where the ability to outthink and outmaneuver your opponent determines victory.” – John F. Kennedy These two quotes personify the idea that intelligence and espionage are a…
Read MoreWould a Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference be Detrimental to Canada’s Intelligence Community?
The debate surrounding the potential implementation of a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada has raised significant concerns about the impact it may have on the Canada’s Intelligence Community. In this article, we will delve into the arguments against holding such an inquiry and explore the potential risks it poses to the efficiency and…
Read MoreWhy is Surveillance Conducted?
Welcome back to the final article in this series on Surveillance. As the keen observer I know you are, you will notice I have tried to use the who, what, when, why, and how formula to provide a basic overview of Surveillance from the perspective of a former intelligence officer. In this article, I will…
Read MoreRisky Business: Understanding How Risk is a Factor in Operational Activity
Life is a gamble, they say. When it comes to the Intelligence Community, risk is a factor in evaluating whether an operational activity is worthwhile or a no-go. From the outside looking in, most people may think that the actions performed by an intelligence agency and their employees is a do-or-die adrenaline rush to the…
Read MoreIntelligence Leaks: what harm is it anyway?
Intelligence Leaks: what harm is it anyway? Over the last few days there has been a lot of media reporting concerning the latest intelligence leak by 21-year-old, Jack Teixeira. A National guardsman with the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Teixeira, faces up to 15 years in prison for, “unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information”…
Read MoreBeing Grey ain’t Easy
Kermit the frog has been quoted as saying “It isn’t easy being green”. Which I believe is very true, but as a former intelligence officer, being grey isn’t all its cracked up to be either. The term “the grey man” is an old (now misogynistic) espionage term relating to an individual who can gounnoticed, and…
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