Cutout (espionage) - Misplaced Pages

Mutually trusted channel for the exchange of information between agents

In espionage parlance, a cutout is a mutually trusted intermediary, method or channel of communication that facilitates the exchange of information between agents. Cutouts usually know only the source and destination of the information to be transmitted, not the identities of any other persons involved in the espionage process (need to know basis). Thus, a captured cutout cannot be used to identify members of an espionage cell. The cutout also isolates the source from the destination, so neither necessarily knows the other.

Outside espionage

Some computer protocols, like Tor, use the equivalent of cutout nodes in their communications networks. The use of multiple layers of encryption usually stops nodes on such networks from knowing the ultimate sender or receiver of the data.

In computer networking, darknets have some cutout functionality. Darknets are distinct from other distributed peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, as sharing is anonymous, i.e., IP addresses are not publicly shared and nodes often forward traffic to other nodes. Thus, with a darknet, users can communicate with little fear of governmental or corporate interference. Darknets are thus often associated with dissident political communications as well as various illegal activities.

References

Wood, Jessica (2010). "A Digital Copyright Revolution" (PDF). Richmond Journal of Law and Technology. 16 (4). Retrieved 25 October 2011.

v t e Espionage
Agents Assets	Agent handling Agent provocateur Cover Agent Double agent Field agent Mole Resident spy Sleeper agent Spymaster Cutout Cooptee
Analysis	Intelligence assessment competing hypotheses
Devices and communications	Burn notice Concealment device Covert listening device Cryptography Computer and network surveillance Cyber espionage Dead drop Invisible ink Numbers station One-way voice link Phone surveillance Short-range agent communications Steganography microdot Surveillance tools
Tradecraft and techniques	Canary trap Front organization Limited hangout
Operations	Chinese intelligence activity abroad Chinese espionage in the United States Cold War espionage Recruitment Black operation black bag wetwork Eavesdropping SIGINT MASINT False flag Industrial espionage Interpersonal (HUMINT) intelligence interrogation safe house COINTELPRO MINARET SHAMROCK FVEY Sexpionage Stay-behind Sting operation Surveillance Global Mass Targeted surveillance

Intelligence management

Collection

Human (HUMINT)

Special reconnaissance organizations
Clandestine	Asset recruiting Cell system Covert action Direct action Operational techniques
Espionage	Agents field handling Asset Black operation black bag Concealment device Cover Cryptography Cutout Dead drop Defection / Turncoat Denial and deception Eavesdropping False flag Industrial espionage Interrogation Numbers station One-way voice link Resident spy Steganography Surveillance

Signals (SIGINT)

Measurement and
signature (MASINT)

Other

Analysis

Dissemination

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Outside espionage

See also

References