Intelligence Gathering Vocabulary

noun A person who asks questions, especially in a formal or official context, such as during an interrogation.

• The interrogator asked a series of probing questions during the investigation.
• The interrogator grilled the suspect for hours to get the truth out of him.
• The interrogator was giving the suspect the third degree to make him talk.
• The interrogator's piercing gaze seemed to delve into the depths of the suspect's soul.

noun a military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features

verb to inspect, observe, or survey (an area) in order to gather information or intelligence

• The military unit was sent to reconnoiter the area before launching the attack.
• Let's reconnoiter the neighborhood before deciding where to eat.
• We should reconnoiter the party to see if it's worth going to.
• She took a moment to reconnoiter her thoughts before making a decision.

noun the act of secretly obtaining information about another country or organization

verb to secretly collect information about another country or organization

• The government was accused of spying on its citizens without their consent.
• I heard that Sarah's ex-boyfriend has been spying on her social media accounts.
• I can't believe you're still spying on your crush, that's so creepy!
• The detective felt like he was spying on the suspect's every move, even though he was just observing from a distance.

noun A person who is hired to carry out cyber attacks or hacking activities for financial gain or other motives.

• The government hired a team of cyber-mercenaries to track down the hackers responsible for the data breach.
• I heard that some cyber-mercenaries were hired to take down a rival company's website.
• Those cyber-mercenaries are like hired guns in the digital world.
• In the world of cybersecurity, cyber-mercenaries are like modern-day knights fighting against online threats.

noun a person who is under suspicion or investigation

preposition of

• The police are currently investigating a person of interest in connection to the robbery.
• They're looking into that guy as a person of interest for the crime.
• The cops have their eye on that dude as a person of interest.
• She was like a person of interest in the group, always drawing attention.