Human Intelligence
Intelligence gathered through interpersonal contact with human sources: interviews, debriefings, informants and elicitation.
Intelligence officers and corporate security teams gather insider knowledge that technical sources cannot reach.
The CIA's recruitment of Soviet colonel Oleg Penkovsky in the early 1960s gave the West decisive insight into Soviet missile capabilities during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
A live HUMINT tool is on the roadmap. In the meantime, explore the definition and application above.
RoadmapIntelligence derived from the interception of electronic signals and communications between people, machines or systems.
Intelligence concerning foreign technological developments, weapons and equipment capabilities.
A subset of SIGINT obtained by intercepting communications between people: voice, text and data exchanges.
Intelligence collected from non-communications electronic emissions such as radar, beacons and weapons systems.
Unverified information circulating informally — rumors, gossip and unofficial chatter.
Intelligence from intercepted electromagnetic emissions of foreign weapons systems — telemetry, beacons and video links.