Spy-fighting tool helps defence staff spot foreign agents

[steven36]

A new high-tool has been released by New Zealand security personnel to help keep Kiwi is sensitive positions on the look-out for spies.

The new anti-espionage tool, complete with a handy graphic, was published in the latest Royal New Zealand Navy magazine, Navy Today.

Its release comes after a spate of security lapses forced the Government to bolster its efforts to inform defence staff and diplomats about the risk of spies.

The politically incorrect spyometer asks defence staff to rate their own appearance against a new friend at the pub.

If the potential date turns out to be much better looking, it is cause for concern, according to the high-tech tool.

Is your new friend taking an interest in your bodily ailments, stories of ex-lovers or obscure sports teams?

Be very concerned.

The spyometer is accompanied by information on spying.

"[spies] seek invitations to wider society, with influential groups or individuals," the Navy Today article says.

"They make friends not just with the targets, but wider related communities, hoping to support introductions into particular sports clubs, schools or workplace gatherings."

Spies flatter egos and exploit vulnerabilities, the article warns.

The New Zealand Intelligence Service relied on military staff reporting security incidents, it said.

"Security organisations would prefer it be deluged with hundreds of false leads that miss a chance to identify a spy or security concern."

In September, it was revealed spies were wining, dining and spying on New Zealand officials.

The cases forced the Government issue more information on the threat of foreign intelligence gathering.

One case saw foreign agents break into the hotel room of two New Zealand trade negotiators, planting malware on their phones and laptops to monitor their electronic activity.

The foreign agents could access top secret documents and sensitive information about trade negotiations after cloning the officials' laptop hard-drives.

In another example, a foreign agent wined and dined a New Zealand bureaucrat with top secret clearance.

The woman "never suspected his intention for a romantic relationship wasn't genuine or that he was trying to get Government information out of her", the case study read.

Rhys Ball, from Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies, says spies can be difficult to detect.

"They're discrete, covert and their business is retrieving, stealing or acquiring information."

Foreign agents could also view New Zealand as an easy target compared to the United States security agencies.

"New Zealanders are very good at talking about themselves."

Like the spyometer, spies would actually target the lonely official drinking a beer at a pub.

"An intelligence officer would be talking to you to find out what makes you tick."

The advice to defence staff could either be a timely reminder or sparked by an actual threat or security breach, Ball said.

Source