Modern-day espionage has evolved into a “cat-and-mouse” game between intelligence services and hostile agents fought against the backdrop of big data.
Agents continue to gather intelligence from three age-old sources: human interactions, signals and imagery surveillance. Or in layman’s terms, conversations between people, sounds, and pictures.
But big data – extremely large information sets that are analysed by computer -has proven a game changer, one security expert told nine.com.au.
John Blaxland, a professor of international security and intelligence studies at the Australian National University in Canberra, says the digital revolution is transforming spying.
“Big data and the digital footprint has made it harder for spies today,” he said.
Today’s well-resourced security and intelligence services across the globe can pinpoint an operative’s online presence by using algorithms and other technological tools.
It’s now easier for them to track a person’s face, movement, watch, phone and devices.
“It’s become a game of cat and mouse. Now the trick for spies is to hide their digital footprint,” Dr Blaxland said.
Read more: 9news
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