The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the FBI, and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) are issuing guidance to current and former U.S. government (USG) employees, reminding them about deceptive online targeting and recruitment activities by foreign intelligence entities, particularly those in China.
Foreign intelligence entities are posing as legitimate consulting firms, corporate headhunters, think tanks, and other organizations (often in non-alerting countries) on social and professional networking sites. They use deceptive online job offers and other virtual approaches to target unwitting individuals with USG backgrounds who may be seeking new employment.
Current and former federal employees should beware of these virtual approaches and understand the potential consequences of engaging. U.S. clearance holders are further reminded of their legal obligations to protect classified data, even after departing USG service.
The product provides indicators of potential online targeting by malicious actors, mitigation strategies for employees and employers, additional resources, and reporting information.
