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Intelligence what it is and why it is so important
In his essay on Heritage.org David Shedd writes about intelligence what it is and why
it is so important. The importance of intelligence is not a new concept dating back to
ancient times with the use of espionage in Egypt and Troy. More current examples
toke place during the two world wars which allowed the allies to prevail over the axis.
Intelligence failures are also evident with events like Pearl Harbor and the 9/11
attacks. Intelligence being the ability to learn, understand and deal with evolving
events or potential attacks the need for different types of intelligence is even more
evident. The tendency is to use tactical intelligence to issue real-time short notice
solutions to problems. Strategic intelligence deals with more midterm and long-term
analysis being dispersed to decision-makers on a higher level.
Shedd lists several problems the United States faces in maintaining Intelligence
capabilities in the 21st century including Rapidly changing technology The United
States isn’t the only nation seeking to advance its high-tech intelligence abilities
other nations are doing the same to thwart these efforts. The use of HUMINT
resources and the abilities of biometrics to adapt to an increasing diversity of targets.
It is difficult to process and find usable intelligence from ever-increasing amounts of
raw data. Dealing with issues of privacy and civil liberties involving the collection of
data on U.S. citizens and from social media companies. Lastly the rapid
improvement and use of industrial encryption and the lack of information sharing with
these companies (Intelligence and National Defense, n.d.).
A 2014 NIS report speaks to the necessity of strategic intelligence in providing
intelligence on enduring issues to enhance decision-making. Anticipatory
Intelligence to detect, identify and warn of potential threats. Current operations
continue to support ongoing operations (The National Intelligence United States of
America 2014).
Shedd examines the necessity for the United States to improve its intelligence
capabilities through three primary areas. The first is to ensure that information
technology investments provide secure access across the Defense Intelligence
Enterprise. The second area is to apply additional resources to training to continue
to match the changes in the intelligence workforce. The third is the combining of
intelligence budgets for both national and military intelligence programs. Much of
what Shedd indicates as areas to improve are being worked on by the national
intelligence community. The NIS lists six mission objectives the first being Integrated
mission management to optimize the collection, analysis, and counterintelligence
abilities of the intelligence community to unify effort and effect. The second
Integrated Enterprise Management to develop, implement and manage intelligence-
oriented approaches to improve and enhance IC capabilities. The third is Information
sharing, and safeguarding seeks to enhance, integrate, and leverage IC capabilities
to improve collaboration and the discovery, access, retrieval, retention, and
safeguarding of information. The fourth is an innovation by finding and deploying
new scientific technologies to improve tradecraft. The fifth is people by building a
more agile and diverse expert workforce. The sixth is a partnership by strengthening
partnerships to enhance intelligence (The National Intelligence United States of
America 2014). Overall it appears that the United States intelligence community is
taking Shedd's recommendations to heart and implementing widespread change.
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Intelligence and National Defense. (n.d.). The Heritage Foundation.
https://www.heritage.org/military-strength-topical-essays/2016-essays/intelligence-
and-national-defense
The National Intelligence United States of America 2014. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1,
2022, from https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/2014_NIS_Publication.pdf
