What is Intelligence? What is it For?

I. Intelligence=Information

A. Sir Harry Hinsley

II. Intelligence=Process/ “Intelligence Cycle”

A. Gathering

B. Appraisal

C. Assessment

D. Operational Function

Gathering

I. Open-source intelligence

II. Secret-source intelligence

A. HUMINT

B. SIGINT

C. IMINT

Operational Function

I. Propaganda, covert actions, paramilitary conflict

Webster’s 1956 unabridged:

“The obtaining or dispensing of information, particularly secret information; also, the persons engaged in obtaining information; secret service."

Bimfort, Martin T., "A Definition of Intelligence", Stud. Intel. V2:4-75-78 (Fall 1958):

“Intelligence is the collecting and processing of that information about foreign countries and their agents which is needed by a government for its foreign policy and for national security, the conduct of non-attributable activities abroad to facilitate the implementation of foreign policy, and the protection of both process and product, as well as persons and organizations concerned with these, against unauthorized disclosure.”

Sir Harry Hinsley:

“Information has to be acquired; it has to be analysed and interpreted; and it has to be put into the hands of those who can use it.”

Mark Lowenthal:

“Intelligence is the process by which specific types of information important to national security are requested, collected, analyzed, and provided to policymakers; the products of that process; the safeguarding of these processes and this information by counterintelligence activities; and the carrying out of operations as requested by lawful authorities.”