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- Title
Covert Connections: The LinkedIn Recruitment Ruse Targeting Defense Insiders.
- Authors
LISENBEE II, CALEB S.
- Abstract
Foreign adversaries, particularly China, are exploiting LinkedIn to conduct virtual espionage against current and former US Department of Defense (DOD) members. They create fake profiles and lucrative job solicitations to entice targets into divulging sensitive information or becoming recruited assets. This low-risk, low-cost tactic circumvents robust physical and cybersecurity defenses. Every DOD professional is a potential target, from senior leaders to junior personnel, as adversaries seek insights into future capabilities, vulnerabilities, research, operational concepts, and human intelligence networks. Successful recruitment can devastate national security by enabling technological replication, battlefield strategy countering, and compromising of critical personnel. Consequences for individuals include potential treason charges and ruined careers. To combat this threat, a focused US government counterespionage campaign is recommended, coupled with enhanced training, policies, and legal statutes explicitly addressing virtual espionage. Defensive measures must match the scale and sophistication of the virtual threat.
- Subjects
CHINA; UNITED States. Dept. of Defense; INTELLIGENCE service; ESPIONAGE; NATIONAL security; TREASON
- Publication
Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 2024, Vol 7, Issue 3, p164
- ISSN
2576-5361
- Publication type
Article