Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
FOREIGN TRAVEL
&
COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE
BRIEFING
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
•Carry personal identification and any special medical information with
you at all times
•Store essential medication in original containers
•Do not leave your wallet or purse unattended
•Leave your itinerary at home with a point of contact, and advise of any
changes to your itinerary during your trip
•Carry international traveler’s checks and always exchange currency at
reputable exchanges (it is illegal to do otherwise in some countries)
•Drive carefully (you may want to apply for an international driver’s
license if you plan to travel extensively by car)
BE A SMART TRAVELER.
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
•Observe local laws and customs.
For example:
•In Turkey, Taiwan and Spain individuals are prohibited from
making derogatory comments about the government or its leaders
•In other countries it is unlawful to use insulting language or
abusive gestures toward another person while driving
•Remember that you are representing the United States. Avoid
political discussions, and remember that you may encounter anti-
American sentiments
•Be patient rather than critical of local customs
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
FACT:
•U.S. TECHNOLOGY is targeted by
foreign nations
•It is less expensive to steal
technology than it is to develop new
technology
•This technology threat pertains to
classified, sensitive protected,
company proprietary, and other
unclassified protected information
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
FACT:
•As a traveler, your are vulnerable because you may be unfamiliar with
the customs, people, language, topography, laws and judicial system of
that country.
•You become more dependent on strangers. This is an attractive
situation for foreign agents.
•The same opportunities exist in both “friendly” and “unfriendly”
countries.
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
Do not fall into a compromising situation where outside help
may be needed or threat of blackmail could surface.
EXAMPLES:
• Involvement in Illicit currency trade
• Poor judgment in alcohol consumption
• Minor traffic violations
• Gambling
• Any immoral conduct
• Viewing political demonstrations or parades
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY OF YOU IN ANOTHER
COUNTRY MAY ALSO OCCUR DUE TO:
• Your fitting the profile of a terrorist, narcotics-trafficker, or criminal.
• Involvement in black-market activity.
• Discovery by the host government of material on your person or in
your luggage that is banned or strictly controlled.
• Associating with individuals the government labels as dissidents.
Having language fluency, declared relatives, or organizational
affiliations in the country you are visiting.
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
ELICITATION - A ploy whereby seemingly normal
conversation is contrived to extract information about
individuals, their work and their colleagues.
A COLLECTION METHOD
• Puts someone at ease to share information
• Is difficult to recognize as an intelligence technique
• Is easily deniable
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
• Usually, any intelligence activities directed against you
will be conducted in an unobtrusive and non-threatening
fashion.
• Although, in some cases a foreign intelligence service
may employ more aggressive provocation tactics. The
methods used could be both indirect and direct.
• While most harassment incidents are intentionally
obvious-meant to intimidate or “test” a traveler’s
reactions-many intelligence activities are conducted
without the target’s awareness.
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
A COLLECTION METHOD
EAVESDROPPING – Listening to other people’s
conversations to gather information.
• Frequently done in social environments where attendees feel secure
and more likely to talk about themselves or their work
• Venues include restaurants, bars, and public transportation
• May occur in radius of six to eight seats on public transportation or
10-12 feet in other settings
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
TECHNICAL EAVESDROPPING – Use of audio and visual
devices, usually concealed
• Relatively cost efficient and low risk
• Concealed devices can be installed in public and private
facilities-such as hotel rooms, restaurants, offices, and
automobiles
A COLLECTION METHOD
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
A COLLECTION METHOD
“BAG OPERATIONS” – Surreptitious entry into someone’s
hotel room to steal, photograph, or photocopy documents
• Many times conducted by host government services
• Third-country services also active
• Frequently done with cooperation of hotel staff
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
A COLLECTION METHOD
ELECTRONIC INTERCEPTION – Increasingly conducted
against modern telecommunications systems
• Intercept efforts are cost efficient
• Foreign carriers are particularly vulnerable because most
are government controlled
• Office, hotel, and portable phones (including cellular) are
key targets
• Facsimile, telex, and computers can be electronically
monitored
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
SECURITY TIP
Common sense and basic counter-intelligence awareness
can protect you against foreign intelligence service
activities.
• Do not leave sensitive documents or equipment unattended in hotel
safes-such information should be stored in appropriate secure
facilities
• Do not discuss sensitive matters outside US Offices-hotel rooms or
other public venues are rarely suitable for sensitive discussions
• Do not use computer or facsimile equipment at foreign hotels or
business centers for sensitive or classified matters
• Do not divulge information to anyone no authorized to hear it,
including personal information about yourself or colleagues
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
SECURITY TIPS
• IGNORE OR DEFLECT INQUIRIES OR CONVERSATION
ASK SOME QUESTIONS OF YOUR OWN
PROVIDE NON-DISCREET ANSWERS
LEAVE TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE
• Keep unwanted material until it can be disposed of – burn
or shred paper and cut floppy disk in pieces and discard
• Keep your personal computer as carry-on, never check it
with your luggage and, if possible, remove or control
storage
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
SECURITY TIPS
• Take time to use secure communications equipment at
any appropriate U.S. Government Facility
• Report any counterintelligence incident to the relevant
U.S. Government
• When traveling overseas, suspect incidents should be
reported to either the Regional Security Officer (RSO) or
Post Security Officer (PSO) at the nearest U.S.
Diplomatic Facility
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
• Report any attempt by a foreign national or stranger to
establish a continuing association, arrange future
meetings, or correspondence
• Report any contact with anyone whom you suspect may
be attempting to gather ‘sensitive’ information from you
• Maintain a high level of personal standards and
conduct… Keep in mind that you are a foreign guest and
a representative of the United States
THE REQUIREMENT TO REPORT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR
COUNTRY’S NATIONAL SECURITY.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
• Do not become involved in local political matters of any
kind.
• Do not include military or other restricted areas in your
visits or picture-taking tours.
• Avoid unknown candid or commercial photographers.
• Do not promise favors, such as mailing letters for
strangers or hand-carrying letters or other items back to
the United States for them.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
Now that you have finished your foreign travel briefing,
send an email to [email protected]
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR MEMO
• YOUR NAME
• INTENDED DATES OF TRAVEL
• DESTINATION(S)
• DATE OF FOREIGN TRAVEL BRIEFING
• FOREIGN TRAVEL CERTIFICATE
Remember, you have an individual responsibility for
safeguarding U.S. government classified or unclassified
sensitive information, as well as a responsibility to protect
company proprietary.
ONE LAST REQUIREMENT
Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing
This is to certify that
______________________________________________________
(print name)
has viewed the Foreign Travel & Counter-Intelligence Briefing and video presentation titled, “(U) Expect the Unexpected, Defensive
Tactics for a Safe Trip Abroad” as part of the foreign travel indoctrination in accordance with DoD 5105.2-M-1.
