Intelligence Gathering Disciplines

Intelligence gathering disciplines related to the importance of threat data and intelligence.

9 flashcards · Computer Science · by aloibeth

  1. Traditional intelligence involves the collecting and processing of information about foreign countries and their agents.

  2. Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether communications between people or from electronic signals not directly used in communication.

  3. Human intelligence (HUMINT) is intelligence gathered by means of interpersonal contact, as opposed to the more technical intelligence gathering disciplines

  4. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the collection and analysis of data gathered from covert and publicly available sources to produce actionable intelligence and is primarily used in national security, law enforcement, and business intelligence functions.

  5. Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) is a technical branch of intelligence gathering, which serves to detect, track, identify or describe the distinctive characteristics (signatures) of fixed or dynamic target sources. This often includes radar intelligence, acoustic intelligence, nuclear intelligence, and chemical and biological intelligence. This type of intelligence is defined as scientific and technical intelligence derived from the analysis of data obtained from sensing instrume…

  6. Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is intelligence about the human activity on earth derived from the exploitation and analysis of imagery, signals, or signatures with geospatial information. This type of intelligence describes, assesses, and visually depicts physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth.

  7. All Source is intelligence derived from every available source on a subject or topic.

  8. Technical Intelligence (TECHINT) is intelligence about weapons and equipment used by the armed forces of foreign nations. The related term, scientific and technical intelligence, addresses information collected or analyzed about the broad range of foreign science, technology, and weapon systems.

  9. Financial intelligence (FININT) is the gathering of information about the financial affairs of entities of interest, to understand their nature and capabilities, and predict their intentions. Generally, the term applies in the context of law enforcement and related activities. One of the main purposes of this type of intelligence is to identify financial transactions that may involve tax evasion, money laundering or some other criminal activity.