The Intelligence Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Intelligence Cycle - Essay Example It involves "Drawing up specific collection requirements, and.finished intelligence which supports policy decisions" (FAS "The Intelligence Cycle").This is the same standard of prioritizing which is applied to many other government bodies. Each year, there is an annual assessment and analysis of these priorities. This is otherwise called the intelligence 'Process'; the beginning is a threat assessment, which suggests sources of collection, the next stage. In this planning stage, these is an assessment of the balance between respect for others rights, and the need for the investigation. In short, Planning and Direction are involved in the beginnings and the endings of the process of intelligence gathering. The end results of the gathering for this section may also cause the beginnings of the another Intelligence cycle. relationships" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). These sources do not need to be discovered by wire-tapping, or surveillance, but may be obtained through what are known as 'open sources' - the internet is one famous example of an open source being used in an intelligence investigation. Not all gatherers are direct security operatives - in Canada, for example, some of them are "Security Liasion Officers (SLOs) posted at Canadian diplomatic" (CSIS "Security Intelligence Cycle"), as well as public, agents from other Security Services. Collection is the term for basic information provided by Security services of a government agent. Processing Processing is the method by which the basic information collected in the last part of the cycle is converted into useful information there are a number of methods "Decryption, language translations, and data reduction" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle") As well as processing this data, rather like rolling pasty, the analyst will input the data into computer networks, databases, and other areas where this information can be used. Processing whittles the information into useful pieces, which are then inserted into databases to be analysed. Analysis The information which has been collected and processed is now studied by intelligence experts, and then is used to prepare a report based around the information. This process is seen by the FBI as "Integrating, evaluating, and analyzing available data" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). This information in integrated, and the experts decide whether the information is worth anything, and connecting the dots by tying up different pieces of processed information, and drawing conclusions. Analysis involves creating reports and threat assessments. Dissemination The information, now gathered, processed and analyzed, is sent out to other agencies, and also to intelligence operatives. "The FBI disseminates information in three standard formats: Intelligence information Reports (IIRs), FBI Intelligence Bulletines, and FBI Intelligence Assessments" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). The reports which have been created are sent out, both internally, and externally, to the media and to the public. Other bodies use these reports to establish the safety of the public,