The following information is compile from MANY sources on the web and in various books I have. Especially "The US Intelligence Community" (see bibliography at end). If you see something totally screwed up or have amplifying information let me know!
1.0 INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence is defined as the "product resulting from the
collection, evaluation, analysis, integration and interpretation
of all available information which concerns one or more aspects
of foreign nations or of areas of operation which is immediately
or potentially significant for planning."
1.1 COLLECTION
This is the purposeful acquisition of any information that might
be desired by analyst, consumer, or operator. Collection activity
can come from various sources, open source, clandestine, human
source, or technical.
1.1.1 OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)
Open source intelligence involves the use of materials available
in the public domain by intelligence agencies. Examples include
newspapers, television broadcasts, magazines, technical and scholarly
journals, books, the Internet, and government reports. Foreign
service officers and attaches also report on public activities.
Electronic information services and databases, as well as advanced data mining tools have made the job of collating and analyzing large amounts of data easier. Through these new tools and other, more conventional, OSINT means the information gained can provide information on organizational dynamics, technical processes, and research activities not available in any other form. When open source data is compiled, it is often possible to derive classified data or trade secrets, or fill in gaps left from technical collection methods. This is particularly true in the case of studies published in technical journals. A significant understanding of research and development efforts can often be derived by analyzing journal articles published by different members of a research organization. Finally, open source information is generally more timely and may be the only information available in the early stages of a crisis or emergency.
Open source intelligence collection does have limitations. Often articles in military or scientific journals represent a theoretical or desired capability rather than an actual capability. Censorship may also limit the publication of key data needed to arrive at a full understanding of an targets actions, or the press may be used as part of a conscious deception effort.
1.1.2 HUMINT (Human Intelligence)
Human intelligence is derived from human sources. To the public,
HUMINT remains synonymous with espionage and clandestine activities,
yet, in reality, most HUMINT collection is performed by overt
collectors such as diplomats, military attaches, and even troops
in the field. HUMINT includes overt, sensitive, and clandestine
activities and the individuals who exploit, control, supervise,
or support these sources.
Overt activities are performed openly. Overt HUMINT collectors can include military attaches, diplomatic personnel, members of official delegations, and debriefers at refugee centers. Overt HUMINT activities may include: exploiting unclassified publications, conference materials, and government hearings; operating interrogation centers for refugees and prisoners of war; and debriefing travelers who visited countries of interest to a nation's intelligence service.
Sensitive HUMINT activities may depend upon the same methods as overt activities, however, the sponsor of the activity must be protected from disclosure. Disclosure of the sponsor's identity may result in political embarrassment, compromise of other intelligence operations, or security threats to the sponsoring nation.
Clandestine HUMINT sources include agents who have been recruited or have volunteered to provided information to a foreign nation, and foreign nationals who successfully infiltrate an organization with a cover story, such as using the guise of political refugees.
Even with the capabilities of technical intelligence gathering capabilities, HUMINT can still provide information that even the most proficient technical collectors cannot, such as access to internal memoranda and to compartmented information. Most importantly, human collectors can provide key insights into the intentions of an adversary, whereas technical collection systems are often limited to determining capabilities. HUMINT can be used to reveal adversary plans and intentions, or uncover scientific and weapons developments before they are used or are detected by technical collection systems. HUMINT can also provide documentary evidence such as blueprints of facilities, copies of adversary plans, or copies of diplomatic or policy documents. Finally, HUMINT is extremely cost effective compared with technical collection systems and does not require a significant technological production base for support.
1.1.3 SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
Signals intelligence is derived from signal intercepts comprising,
either individually or in combination, of communications intelligence
(COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT)
Signals intelligence collection can be performed from a variety of platforms. Examples include overt ground collection sites, ships and aircraft; and covert locations inside the target country or area. SIGINT facilities can monitor transmissions from communications satellites, as well as terrestrial facilities. Space-based collection systems can also collect COMINT, FISINT, and ELINT.
COMINT is intelligence obtained by the interception, processing, and analysis of communications transmissions. This includes voice and teleprinter traffic, video, Morse code, and facsimile messages. Assuming access is possible, COMINT can be collected from the air waves, cable, fiber optics, or any other transmission medium. These transmissions may either be encrypted or transmitted in the clear. COMINT targets are varied, ranging from diplomatic communications to intercepting communications between different components or individuals of a single organization. Aside from governments, a growing target for COMINT are multinational corporations and narcotics traffickers.
ELINT includes the interception and analysis of noncommunications transmissions from military and civilian hardware, such as radar. ELINT is used to identify the location of an emitter, determine its characteristics, and infer the characteristics of supported systems. Most intelligence agencies concerned with ELINT store these signals and analysis information in reference files for future use.
1.1.4 MASINT (Measurement and Signature Intelligence)
Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) is a collective
term bringing together disparate intelligence elements that do
not fit within the definitions of SIGINT, IMINT, or HUMINT. These
disparate elements consist of intelligence activities and technologies
such as acoustic intelligence (non compressible fluids (ACINT),
compressible fluids (ACOUSTINT)); laser intelligence (LASINT);
radar intelligence (RADINT); nuclear radiation detection (NUCINT);
infrared intelligence (IRINT); electro-optical intelligence (ELECTRO-OPTINT);
radio frequency (RF/EMPINT), unintentional radiation (RINT); materials,
effluent, and debris sampling; and electro optical and spectro-radiometric
sources. MASINT also uses Signals Intelligence or Imagery Intelligence
data and subjects the data to specialized processing, using analysis
otherwise not utilized by traditional SIGINT and IMINT processing.
Radar Intelligence (RADINT) is intelligence obtained from the use of non-imaging radar - like ELINT there is no interception of communications involved. RADINT does not depend on does not depend on interception of another objects emanations. The radar itself emits the signals - radio waves - and it is the analysis of the deflection of those signals that allows intelligence to be derived. Information from RADINT includes flight paths, velocity, maneuvering, trajectory, and angle of descent.
Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT) is an example of MASINT, consisting of intercepts of electromagnetic emissions from testing and operational deployment of aerospace, surface, and subsurface systems. Such signals include telemetry, beaconing, electronic interrogation, tracking, and video links. A further subcategory under FISINT is Telemetry Intelligence (TELINT). Telemetry is the set of signals by which a missile, missile stage, or missile warhead sends data about its performance back to a ground station during test flights. This includes data on structural stress, thrust, fuel consumption, guidance system performance, and the ambient environment. Intercepted and decrypted telemetry can provide information on a system's guidance system operation, fuel usage, staging, and other parameters vital for understanding operational characteristics.
1.1.5 IMINT (Imagery Intelligence)
IMINT is a product of imagery analysis. Imagery includes representations
of objects reproduced electronically or by optical means on film,
electronic display devices, or other media. Imagery can be derived
from visual photography, radar sensors, infrared sensors, lasers,
and electro-optics.
Imagery can be obtained from both the visible and near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In both cases it relies on the absence of cloud cover and can only be conducted in daylight since they rely on the reflective properties of objects and not their emission of radiation. Thermal infrared imagery is obtained from the mid to far-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and produces images by detecting the objects heat. Since this does not require reflected radiation it can be obtained at night (but still requires no cloud cover).
One method of producing imagery in the face of cloud cover uses radar. By analyzing the returning radio waves an image of the area can be assembled. Since radio waves are not attenuated by atmospheric water vapor they well penetrate cloud cover.
1.1.6 TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE
This includes the use of "bugs", wiretapping, and mail-opening.
1.1.7 MATERIAL EXPLOITATION AND RECOVERY
Quite simply this is the acquisition of new or used systems of
intelligence significance (typically weapon systems). These programs
are conducted in a variety of ways, ranging from outright buying
the equipment on the open market, theft, bribery, defection, or
locating disabled systems.
1.1.8 CI (Counter-Intelligence)
Counterintelligence is information gathered and activities conducted
with the purpose of disrupting and neutralizing the activities
of hostile intelligence services. There are four basic functions
of counterintelligence:
-Collect information on foreign intelligence and security services
-Evaluate defectors
-Conduct research and analysis on the structure, personnel, operations,
and capabilities of foreign intelligence and security services.
-Disrupt and neutralize the activities of hostile intelligence
and security services.
1.1.9 COVERT ACTION ("Special Activities")
Any operation or activity designed to influence foreign governments,
persons, or events in support of policy objectives while keeping
the sponsoring governments support of the operation secret.
There are several types of covert action: black propaganda (propaganda which purports to come from an source other then the real one), gray propaganda (in which the true sponsorship is not acknowledged), paramilitary or political acts designed to destabilize or overthrow the countries government, support of individuals or organizations with aid, arms, or training, economic operations, disinformation, and assassination.
1.2 ANALYSIS
Analysis involves the integration of collected information into
a finished intelligence product. This product may be a statement
of facts, estimates of capability, or projections of likely events.
Information for this brief overview was collected from many sources,including:
Richelson, Jeffrey. The U.S. Intelligence Community, Second Edition. ISBN 0-88730-226-2. Ballinger Publishing 1989 (Now in its Fourth Edition!)
Tynes, John and Detwiller, Dennis. Delta Green. ISBN 1-887797-08-4. Pagan Publishing 1997
Operations Security Intelligence Thread Handbook.
http://www.fas.org/irp/nsa/ioss/threat96/index.html
NCIS Counterintelligence.
http://www.ncis.navy.mil/activities/Counterintel/Counterintel.html
USAF Intelligence Targeting Guide.
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usaf/afpam14-210/index.html