It’s difficult to write about domestic espionage in part because it’s believed so much is at stake (including identity) and because only facts of the matter can be spoken about in such a public way.
In this story it’s really only a single word that counts but behind it is a very troubling individual.
The word is “Copy” – a simple term that trips off our tongue but also an extremely common word in administrative realms – which we all use after all if we’ve typed out a message such as an email or edited a document.
In this tale however it came to cover an operation started and guided by someone in civilian circles.
The effort was to maintain a sense of business and a modicum of professionalism all the while lifting and stealing whole documents without the said document leaving a computer or a building.
It’s a simple aim but in the wrong hands it has disastrous consequences. Its complications run into copyright law and beyond into the wider realms of fraud around the world.
It’s also especially dangerous if its targets are too random.
In this case, the individual also sought to attack and move MI5 out of their way as they were determined to infiltrate computers and steal data.
In the event it appeared issues of national security took a hit as resources were diverted to defend the position of MI5. These incidents were also witnessed in short bursts by well placed sources in higher Government circles who didn’t know at the time the threat lay within the UK.
In the end the known person was tracked down and their cover is now blown.
They are now no longer able to threaten data on anyone’s computer or use stolen data to defraud us by publishing results, ideas, or even opinions as their own.
This ‘secret’ is no longer a viable alternative for this actor. The threat is neutralised and people’s work is safe.