Intelligence Gathering Disciplines
Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
Human Intelligence involves gathering information from a person or people on the ground.
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
Geospatial Intelligence is the gathering of data from satellite, photography, sensors or other mapping/terrain data.
A sub-category of GEOINT is Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) which primarily focuses on satellite and sensor imagery.
Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
This type involves the gathering of data from open sources, such as trade publications, open source computer systems/networks and can also involve other HUMINT sources such as interviews, trade shows, conferences etc.
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Gathered from the interception of various signals:
- COMINT - Communications Intelligence
- ELINT - Electronic Intelligence gathered from signals that do not involve speech or text
- FISINT - Foreign Instrumental Signals Intelligence, telemetry data gathered from the targeting computer systems of hostile weapons or computer systems.
Cyber Intelligence (CYBINT)
This involves gathering key and sensitive data from computer systems and cyber space.
Technical Intelligence (TECHINT)
This type of intelligence data is gathered from the analysis of weapons and equipment of alien forces or environmental/spatial phenomenon and conditions.
Financial Intelligence (FININT)
Financial Intelligence is the gathering of data from the detailed analysis of financial transactions.
