From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile and/or analyze information (known as intelligence) which is of use to that organization. Organizations which employ intelligence officers include armed forces, police, civilian intelligence agencies, customs agencies and private corporations.^[1]

Contents [hide] 1 Sources of intelligence 2 Role and responsibilities 2.1 Intelligence Agents 3 References 4 See also

[edit]Sources of intelligence

Intelligence officers make use of a variety of sources of information, including

• Open source intelligence (OSINT): Derived from publicly available sources such as the Internet, library materials, newspapers, etc.


• Communications intelligence (COMINT): Eavesdropping and interception of communications (e.g., by wiretapping) including signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT).


• Imagery intelligence (IMINT): Derived from numerous collection assets, such as reconnaissance satellites (e.g., the Key Hole series) or aircraft (e.g., Lockheed U-2).


• Human intelligence (HUMINT): Derived from covert human intelligence sources (agents or moles) from a variety of agencies (e.g., the United States Intelligence Community) and activities.


• Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT): Derived from collection assets that collect and evaluate technical profiles and specific characteristics of certain targeted entities (e.g., E-8 Joint STARS).


• Technical intelligence (TECHINT): Based on scientific and technical characteristics of weapons systems, technological devices and other entities.


• Financial intelligence (FININT): The gathering of information about the financial affairs of entities of interest.

[edit]Role and responsibilities