Allen Dulles’ 73 Rules of Spycraft: Do They Still Matter in the Modern World?
The Enduring Legacy of Allen Dulles’ Spycraft
Allen Dulles, the legendary CIA director (1953-1961), distilled decades of intelligence experience into 73 Rules of Spycraft—principles that remain strikingly relevant even in today’s digital and AI-driven world. Originally published in Intelligence: Journal of U.S. Intelligence Studies (2009), these rules offer a masterclass in tradecraft, deception, and operational security.
But in an era of mass surveillance, digital footprints, and geopolitical instability, do Dulles’ rules still hold up? Or have technological and societal shifts rendered them obsolete?
This reflection examines how Dulles’ principles apply—or fail to apply—to modern intelligence, corporate security, and everyday life in the 21st century.
The Complete List of Allen Dulles’ 73 Rules of Spycraft
Common sense is your greatest weapon.
Security is paramount—subordinate everything to it.
Daily security routines prevent catastrophic mistakes.
Lack of security makes even the most brilliant operative a liability.
Never admit your true role—even if suspected, maintain cover.
Security means minimising risks, not avoiding action.
Don’t let cover work interfere with your mission.
Never leave sensitive materials unattended.
Write lightly—impressions can be read from the page beneath.
Beware of blotting paper—it can reveal secrets.
Destroy documents thoroughly.
Carry minimal written material.
Never carry names or addresses in plain text.
Use personal codes for sensitive info.
Clip small papers securely to avoid loss.
Document meetings immediately—memory is unreliable.
Carelessness is the greatest vice in espionage.
Vanity is a close second—it blinds and corrupts.
A swollen ego prevents learning.
Alcohol loosens tongues—avoid excessive drinking.
Romantic entanglements compromise judgment.
Sex and espionage don’t mix.
Espionage is a 24/7 job—never drop your guard.
Use social occasions to plant false leads.
Work comes before personal convenience.
Take breaks—burnout hurts performance.
The telephone is a security risk—assume it’s tapped.
Avoid open postal communications unless absolutely necessary.
Use cutouts (intermediaries) for mail drops.
Make letters appear innocuous but embed coded messages.
Travel in person rather than risk phone/post leaks.
Plan phone calls in advance—never improvise.
Don’t leave phone books open to suspicious numbers.
Choose safe houses carefully—avoid surveillance.
Ensure safe house occupants are trustworthy.
Be natural—blend into your environment.
Avoid unnecessary eye contact in public.
Dress inconspicuously.
Don’t loiter—punctuality reduces attention.
Avoid taxis to sensitive locations.
Minimise travel to high-risk areas.
Schedule meetings after dark when possible.
Avoid restaurants for sensitive discussions.
Use cemeteries, museums, or walks for private talks.
Carry reading material to avoid unwanted conversations.
Be polite but not overly friendly with service staff.
Tip normally—don’t stand out.
Cultivate confidence—it reassures agents.
Never reveal too much too soon.
Lead targets subtly—let them think ideas are theirs.
Always be suspicious—trust no one completely.
Don’t deceive yourself—wishful thinking is dangerous.
Use a fictional “They” to deflect blame.
Recruit agents motivated by conviction, not just money.
Be a friend to agents—but prioritise duty.
Limit how much agents know—compartmentalise.
Give agents periodic breaks to avoid burnout.
Train agents rigorously—don’t rely on their judgment alone.
Be harsh when necessary—missions outweigh feelings.
Never ask others to do what you wouldn’t.
Don’t let agents know their true importance.
Listen to agents’ on-the-ground insights.
Challenge misguided orders from HQ.
Keep agent networks separate—compartmentalise.
Never rely on luck—plan meticulously.
Use smuggling as cover for couriers.
Build redundancy into operations.
Focus on long-term growth over quick wins.
Establish deep cover—let people label you naturally.
Choose a lifestyle that fits your cover.
Secure your living arrangements—hotels are risky.
Wives can be assets or liabilities—choose wisely.
Above all—REMEMBER SECURITY.
Key Themes in Dulles’ Rules & Their Modern Relevance
1. The Primacy of Security (Then vs. Now)
Dulles’ Rule #2: "Security consists not only in avoiding big risks. It consists in carrying out daily tasks with painstaking remembrance of the tiny things that security demands."
Cold War Era: Spies relied on physical dead drops, coded letters, and face-to-face meetings—where small mistakes (a forgotten note, a loose tongue) could mean exposure.
Modern Era: Security now extends to digital hygiene—encrypted messaging, VPNs, zero-trust networks, and counter-surveillance tactics.
Still Relevant? Absolutely. Whether avoiding corporate espionage or protecting personal data, small oversights (weak passwords, unsecured devices) remain catastrophic.
2. The Art of Deception & Cover Identities
Dulles’ Rule #5: "Never admit your true role—even if suspected, maintain cover."
Cold War Era: Spies lived double lives, posing as diplomats, journalists, or businessmen.
Modern Era: Deepfake videos, AI-generated personas, and synthetic identities complicate deception. Yet, social engineering (phishing, impersonation) remains a top hacking tactic.
Still Relevant? Yes, but harder. Digital footprints make long-term cover identities difficult—yet disinformation campaigns (state-sponsored trolls, fake news) prove deception is alive and well.
3. Human Psychology in Manipulation
Dulles’ Rule #50: "Lead targets subtly—let them think ideas are theirs."
Cold War Era: Spies exploited vanity, ideology, or greed to recruit assets.
Modern Era: Behavioural profiling (Facebook ads, microtargeting) and algorithmic persuasion achieve similar goals at scale.
Still Relevant? More than ever. Whether in marketing, political campaigns, or cybercrime, psychological manipulation is bigger, faster, and more automated.
4. The Danger of Complacency
Dulles’ Rule #17: "The greatest vice in the game is that of carelessness."
Cold War Era: A single misplaced document or overheard conversation could doom an operation.
Modern Era: Cloud leaks, accidental email forwards, and location tracking create new vulnerabilities.
Still Relevant? Critical. From Snowden’s leaks to corporate data breaches, human error remains the weakest link in security.
5. The Risks of Technology
Dulles’ Rule #27: "The telephone is a constant source of temptation to slackness."
Cold War Era: Phones were wiretapped, requiring coded language.
Modern Era: Smartphones track everything—calls, texts, location, even keystrokes. Encryption helps, but metadata is still exploitable.
Still Relevant? Worse than ever. Governments and hackers exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, SIM swaps, and IMSI catchers—making secure communication harder, not easier.
Where Dulles’ Rules Fall Short in the Modern Age
1. The Digital Footprint Problem
Dulles assumed spies could blend into crowds—but today, facial recognition, license plate readers, and AI-powered surveillance make anonymity nearly impossible.
Modern Fix: Off-grid protocols, burner devices, and counter-surveillance tech (Faraday bags, encrypted apps).
2. The Speed of Information
Dulles’ rules assumed slow, deliberate operations—but today, cyberattacks, deepfakes, and viral disinformation spread in seconds.
Modern Fix: Real-time threat detection, AI-driven anomaly spotting, and rapid-response teams.
3. The Scale of Surveillance
Dulles warned of government eavesdropping—but today, corporations (Google, Meta) track more than any intelligence agency ever could.
Modern Fix: Strict data privacy laws (GDPR), decentralised tech (blockchain), and adversarial AI to evade tracking.
Spycraft Evolves, But Human Nature Doesn’t
Allen Dulles’ 73 Rules of Spycraft remain shockingly relevant—not because technology hasn’t changed, but because human nature hasn’t. Deception, security lapses, and psychological manipulation are timeless.
However, modern operatives—whether in intelligence, cybersecurity, or corporate espionage—must adapt these principles to a world where:
✔ Digital footprints are permanent.
✔ AI accelerates both attack and defence.
✔ Privacy is nearly extinct.
Final Verdict:
✅ Dulles’ core philosophy (security, deception, discipline) is eternal.
⚠ But tactics must evolve—or risk obsolescence.
Prepared by Ujasusi Blog Team
Which rule feels most/least relevant today? Could these principles help non-spies (e.g., journalists, activists)? Discuss below.