The Spy Cables: A Glimpse into Espionage

A digital leak to Al Jazeera of hundreds of secret intelligence documents from the world's spy agencies has offered an unprecedented insight into operational dealings of the shadowy and highly politicized realm of global espionage.

Spanning a period from 2006 until December 2014, they include detailed briefings and internal analyses written by operatives of South Africa's State Security Agency (SSA). They also reveal the South Africans' secret correspondence with the US intelligence agency, the CIA, Britain's MI6, Israel's Mossad, Russia's FSB and Iran's operatives, as well as dozens of other services from Asia to the Middle East and Africa.

Among the revelations, the Spy Cables disclose are how: 
    Israel's Mossad told its allies that Iran was not working to produce nuclear weapons just a month after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned it was barely a year from being able to do so;
    The CIA made attempts to contact Hamas directly despite the US government listing the Palestinian group as a "terrorist organisation";
    Britain's MI6 sought South African help in an operation to recruit a North Korean official who had previously refused their cash; and South African and Ethiopian spies struggled to "neutralise" an assassination plot targeting a leading African diplomat.
The files unveil details of how, as the post-apartheid South African state grappled with the challenges of forging new security services, the country became vulnerable to foreign espionage and inundated with warnings related to the US "War on Terror".

Following the 9/11 attacks, South African spies were flooded with requests related to al-Qaeda, despite their own intelligence gathering and analysis telling them that they faced minimal direct threats from such groups, and that the main threat of violence on South African soil came from domestic far-right groups.

The South Africans' focus on Iran was largely a result of pressure from other nations, and the leaked documents also report in depth on alleged efforts by Iran to defeat international sanctions and even its use of Persian rug stores as front companies for spying activity. 

Unlike the Edward Snowden documents that focus on electronic signals intelligence, commonly referred to in intelligence circles as "SIGINT", the Spy Cables deal with human intelligence, or "HUMINT".

Rather than chronicling spy-movie style tales of ruthless efficiency of intelligence agencies, they offer an unprecedented glimpse into the daily working lives of people whose jobs are kept secret from the public.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/02/spy-cables-world-espionage-snowden-guardian-mi6-cia-ssa-mossad-iran-southafrica-leak-150218100147229.html

« Escalating Cyberwar between Iran and US
Kasperky Identify The ‘Equation Group’ »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

iStorage

iStorage

iStorage is the leading global provider of PIN Activated, hardware encrypted, portable data storage solutions.

Information Security Systems (ISSCOM)

Information Security Systems (ISSCOM)

ISSCOM provide services to help companies implement Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) by providing consultancy and hands-on assistance.

DTS Solution

DTS Solution

DTS Solution delivers advanced cyber security solutions through is technology partnerships with industry leading security vendors and advanced consulting services.

Nexus Group

Nexus Group

Nexus Group develops identity solutions for physical and digital access.

HYPR

HYPR

HYPR Decentralized Authentication minimizes the risk of enterprise data breaches while providing an enhanced user experience for your customers and employees.

Epati Information Technologies

Epati Information Technologies

ePati Information Technologies is a specialist in information technology and cyber security.

Fortanix

Fortanix

Fortanix Runtime Encryption keeps keys, data, and applications completely protected from external and internal threats.

Bionic

Bionic

Bionic is an agentless way to get control over your increasingly complex applications so you can manage, operate, and secure them faster and more efficiently.

doIT Solutions

doIT Solutions

doIT solutions specialize in IT security and infrastructure, security automation, data center, and cybersecurity.

Telsy

Telsy

Telsy is a security partner for ICT solutions and services. We help you implement effective security solutions that increase your risk mitigation ability and your responsiveness.

Cyber Coaching

Cyber Coaching

Cyber Coaching is a community for enhancing technical cyber skills, through unofficial certification training, cyber mentorship, and personalised occupational transition programs.

KSOC Labs

KSOC Labs

KSOC is an event-driven SaaS platform built to automatically remediate Kubernetes security risks.

Orro Group

Orro Group

Orro create 'future now' solutions that make it faster, simpler and safer for you to access, store and share information. Wherever, whenever and with whomever you want.

RMC

RMC

RMC was purpose-built for Mission Assurance and ICS/OT cybersecurity, dedicated to strengthening and protecting government and commercial assets.

Cyberplc

Cyberplc

Cyberplc is a global cybersecurity consulting firm providing services to government, the public sector and enterprises.

Cyber Defense International (CDI)

Cyber Defense International (CDI)

At CDI, we utilize decades of experience in designing and building large-scale cybersecurity programs, creating tailored solutions and services that protect businesses from cyber threats.