About Intelligence Collection

By Jeremy Tamsett

Intelligence collection entails the science and art of gathering information from different
sources and means known as the intelligence collection disciplines. Six of these disciplines with a
short description of each are found below:

• Human Intelligence (HUMINT) – involves people on the ground, typically overseas,

gathering information from human sources; the National Clandestine Service (NCS) is
responsible for coordination and de-confliction of clandestine HUMINT operations
across the Intelligence Community

• Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) – involves intercepted signals from communications and

electronic emissions; the National Security Agency (NSA) is responsible for SIGINT
collection and reporting

• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) – information gathered from non-classified, non-

secret sources including news media, the internet and commercial databases to name a
few; the Open Source Center (OSC) in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
(ODNI) and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) are the major
collectors of open-source intelligence

• Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) – involves a highly technical, multi-

disciplinary approach to intelligence collection to provide detailed characteristics of
targets including radar signatures of aircraft and telemetry of missiles; the Directorate
for MASINT and Technical Collection (DT) at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is
responsible for MASINT

• Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) – involves the collection of information related to the

earth from imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information; the National
Geospatial Agency (NGA) is responsible for geospatial intelligence collection
management

• Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) – involves representation of objects reproduced by

optically or by electronic means from a variety of sources including radar, infrared
sources and electro-optics; the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is
responsible for all imagery intelligence collection activities

The process of managing and organizing one or more of the six intelligence disciplines above is
called Intelligence Collection Management. To become an adept intelligence collection manager,
you need to develop a deep understanding of intelligence studies and analytic tradecraft in
addition to intelligence operations.

Intelligence Collection Management

Collection Management is the art and science of managing and organizing the collection or
employment of tactical, analytic or operational tradecraft objectives. From understanding the
broad disciplines of clandestine or covert operation activity to preparing candidates for the
effective management of intelligence professionals, intelligence collection management helps
ensure that the people and processes involved in these national security efforts are effective
and germane.

While other government agencies (ex: CIA) deal primarily with intelligence analysis, a valuable
collection manager focuses on developing and using a broad understanding of intelligence
studies, analytic tradecraft and intelligence operations.

Intelligence Collection and the Threat of Terrorism

The threat posed by non-state actors and terrorist groups have challenged world intelligence
agencies to organize and respond effectively. Precise methods of collection management and
analytic tradecraft are continually reviewed by all intelligence agencies to counter terrorism and
related illicit networks.

Any successful intelligence operation requires, among many other critical elements, the support
of intelligence analysts trained in operational concepts and planning. To expand your
understanding of intelligence operations and demonstrate your capabilities as an intelligence
student or intelligence professional, you need to deepen your knowledge of intelligence
collection and its role within the intelligence process.

About Henley-Putnam-
Henley-Putnam University is a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. If
you have questions about this article, contact the author at: jtamsett@henley-putnam.edu. For
more information on Henley-Putnam University, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at
http://www.henley-putnam.edu.