Nonofficial cover

Nonofficial cover is a term used in espionage (particularly by the CIA) for an agent or operative who assumes a covert role in an organization without ties to the government he or she is working for.

Related Topics:
Espionage - CIA

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For example, an agent sent to spy on a foreign country might pose as a journalist, a businessperson, a worker for a non-profit organization (such as a humanitarian group), or an academic. Nonofficial cover is contrasted with official cover, where an agent assumes a position at a seemingly benign department of their government, such as the diplomatic service. If caught, agents under nonofficial cover are usually trained to deny any connection with their government, and do not have many of the protections offered to (for example) accredited diplomats who are caught spying. Some countries have regulations regarding the use of nonofficial cover—the CIA, for example, has at times been prohibited from disguising agents as members of certain aid organizations, or as members of the clergy.

Related Topics:
Official cover - Diplomatic service

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The degree of sophistication put into nonofficial cover stories can vary considerably. Sometimes, an agent will simply be appointed to a position in a well-established company which can provide the appropriate opportunities. Other times, entire front companies can be established in order to provide false identities for agents. Examples include Brewster Jennings & Associates, set up by the CIA (and made famous as the nominal employer of exposed agent Valerie Plame). The use of front companies can be dangerous, however, as the exposure of a single agent will expose the entire operation.

Related Topics:
Front companies - Brewster Jennings & Associates - Valerie Plame

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In the film The Recruit, Al Pacino, starring as a high-ranking CIA official, recruits NOCs (Colin Farrell is one). The plot for the 1996 film version of the television series ' revolves around the theft of a NOC list from the CIA.

Related Topics:
The Recruit - Al Pacino - Colin Farrell - 1996

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