The ‘Deception Viability/Management’ Directive

In intelligence and covert operations, deception and maintaining a cover story can be critical to mission success. As a CIA officer, enacting and detecting deception is one of the most vital and demanding of skills, however, managing those lies effectively to avoid exposure and maintain credibility is just as crucial.

This guide pertains to tradecraft techniques for deception management; keeping track of lies, preventing contradictions and minimizing the risk of exposure.

      Base Simplicity

      Create Deception Mapping

      Maintain Cover Stories

      Use Mnemonic Devices

      Monitor Your Body Language

      Consistency Across Different Contexts

      Be Prepared to Adapt

      Limit The Number of Lies

Keeping track of lies is a challenging but essential skill for anyone involved in covert operations. By keeping your deception simple, creating a lie map, practicing your cover story, using mnemonic devices, monitoring your body language, maintaining consistency, being prepared to adapt, and limiting the number of lies, you can effectively manage your deception and reduce the risk of exposure.

Remember, success in the profession of covert operations often hinges on your ability to maintain a credible cover story and navigate the complexities of deception.