No Facebook or Twitter? You’re a Spy.

Bottom Line: A spy's tradecraft must constantly evolve because of the rapid changes of the digital age - especially the tools and skills required to maintain a legend, or cover identity. Virtual recordkeeping, modern surveillance technology and the vast amounts of a person's background accessible on open-source platforms such as social media are affecting intelligence operatives' ability to operate covertly overseas.

Background: One of the most fundamental needs for a spy is their legend, or a well-prepared but made-up or assumed identity, also known as cover. Legends allow intelligence officers unique access into companies, ministries and groups of interest where they can recruit agents, manipulate unwitting insiders, or observe, report and take direct action themselves.

Broadly speaking, intelligence officers operate under three forms of cover - diplomatic, official and nonofficial. Diplomatic cover - under which an intelligence officer takes on the face of a diplomat - is likely the most common, as it grants diplomatic immunity as an insurance policy if discovered. Official covers are disclosed to the host governments and those operating under them openly cooperate and liaise directly with intelligence services in allied countries, creating a backchannel for sensitive interactions. Nonofficial cover, also known as deep cover, includes assuming a made-up identity such as a business person or student. Those under nonofficial cover operate without the knowledge of the host government. If caught, they could face severe repercussions.

The full article is on The Cipher Brief.  I found this to be an interesting topic, and something that must be considered by anyone working in a covert or clandestine capacity. In addition to being a concern for intelligence operatives overseas, this is something that should also be considered by undercover police officers, and anyone else needing to establish a legend. A social media presence can support or destroy a cover, but we must also keep in mind what a complete lack of any social media presence says to someone looking at us.