Classical sources of information and intelligence

HUMINT

Human Intelligence – intelligence gathered by means of interpersonal contact, typical activities consist of interrogations and conversations with persons having access to information.

SIGINT

Signals Intelligence – intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether communications between people or from electronic signals not directly used in communication.

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) can be subdivided into:

• COMINT - Communications Intelligence – deals with messages or voice information derived from the interception of communications between people.

• ELINT - Electronic signals intelligence – intelligence-gathering by use of electronic sensors.

• FISINT - Foreign instrumentation signals intelligence – telemetry, tracking systems, video data links, and arms control.

• IMINT - Imagery intelligence – collects information via satellite and aerial photography.

• MASINT - Measurement and Signature Intelligence – analysis of data obtained from sensing instruments for the purpose of identifying any distinctive features associated with the source, emitter or sender, to facilitate the latter’s measurement and identification. This often includes radar intelligence, acoustic intelligence, nuclear intelligence, and chemical and biological intelligence.