What is traditional espionage primarily associated with?

Traditional espionage is primarily associated with classic spying methods, which encompass a range of tactics that have been used for centuries to gather sensitive information from foreign governments or organizations. This includes activities such as human intelligence operations, where spies are employed to infiltrate targets, as well as the use of covert surveillance, the collection of confidential documents, and the recruitment of informants.

Classic spying methods focus on face-to-face interactions, physical intelligence gathering, and the use of undercover agents, distinguishing them from more modern techniques such as cyber warfare and commercial intelligence gathering. While these other practices may involve elements of espionage, they often incorporate technology or market intelligence aspects that are not aligned with the traditional definition. Traditional espionage prioritizes human interactions and the art of deception inherent in spy craft.