What is the primary purpose of counterintelligence activities?

The primary purpose of counterintelligence activities is to protect against espionage, which involves preventing adversaries from stealing sensitive information or undermining national security. These activities encompass a wide range of measures designed to safeguard classified and sensitive data from espionage techniques employed by foreign intelligence services or malicious actors. Counterintelligence also involves identifying and neutralizing threats before they can cause harm, whether through insider threats, surveillance, or cyber operations.

While promoting open information sharing, engaging in foreign intelligence collection, and facilitating international cooperation are important components of the overall intelligence process, they do not specifically address the critical need to defend against espionage, which is the core focus of counterintelligence initiatives. The effectiveness of counterintelligence is ultimately measured by its ability to thwart espionage attempts and protect national interests.