2 homeland security forum responses

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Gabrielle Hetland

What are the capabilities and limitations of U.S. human and technical intelligence collection programs?

The United States intelligence community is very fortunate in our intelligence collection capabilities. We are able to use all of our resources to collect intelligenence via all six intelligence disciplines, HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, MASINT, OSINT and GEOINT (FBI). By having the ability to use all of these resources, we are able to cover all bases to collect intelligence which will enable us fill in the missing intelligence gaps, while also being able to cross-check resources to make sure the information is correct. The main goal of intelligence collection is to eventually be able to accuratly assess what will happen next and each discipline has their own capabilities and limitations when it comes to collecting this informatin, which is why it is important to be able to utilize each and every method. For example, if we wanted to track a foreign ship, we would use HUMINT to find out details about the crew and intentions, IMINT and GEOING to locate ports and images, SIGINT and MASINT to look for signatures and technical aspects and OSINT to monitor the news and social media. By using our advanced technologies and training to collect this intelligence and add all of these capabilities together, we are able to come up with a great picture of what we are really looking at.

When looking at the limitations of these disciplines, each one has its downfall as well. For each to be effective, we need to be able to not only have the proper training, which takes time and money, but we need to also be able to ensure that the equipment is readily available and up to date at all times. Gathering human intelligence can be effective, yet dangerous at the times time, with the possibility of giving up our people or sources. Open source is very easy informatin to acquire, however; it can be easily manipulated and not always truthful. On the technical side of things, there is always a risk when having to rely on technology, whether it is source power, technical failures or lack of training or equipment. Overall, the US intelligence collection programs have been very helpful, but only if the time and money is spent on them like it should be to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Sources:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/intelligence/disciplines

Norwitz, J. (2010). Disrupting human networks: Ancient tools for modern challenges. In Homeland Security and Intelligence, edited by Logan, K. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Security International. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.apus.edu/login?url=http://psi.praeger.com/doc.aspx?d=/books/gpg/C9095C/C9095C-1079.xml

Rawley, C. (2005). Getting in tune with special operations. United States Naval Institute.Proceedings, 132(9), 40-42. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/205972788?accountid=8289