Similar to military yet distinct in application is the ability to employ encryption technologies in covert operations. Similar to military uses, covert operations use encryption largely for communications. More importantly, these intelligence teams have to be familiar with encryption technology in order to defend against what is known as "Information Warfare."

Information Warfare is intended to serve essentially the opposite purpose of military technology. Covert operations include the processes to mitigate and neutralize technologies that could potentially be used offensively. Extensive knowledge of encryption processes is necessary in order to prevent the strategic use of military satellites.

Knowledge of information warfare is also critical to prevent foreign intelligence from intercepting messages and deciphering their content. One particular instance of this is United States relations with Israel. The Mossad -- Israeli Intelligence -- is famous for its ability to intercept almost any information and determine its meaning. Encryption becomes particularly important to the United States, in this instance, to protect United States political relations that could be damaged from access to contentious information.

Furthermore, the United States fears that other states could acquire encryption technology and use it to defeat monitoring by the United States in the process of acquisition of nuclear weapons or other military. It is for this reason that the United States government claims to be concerned with the export of "high level" encryption.

While encryption is not necessarily employed as much in covert operations, knowledge of cryptographic information is of paramount importance.