Hi everyone. As promised, let's understand the Intelligence Cycle and its significance for OSINT professionals. Developed in 1940s, Intelligence Cycle is a method adopted earlier by military intelligence and now is adopted by OSINT analysts to transform raw data into intelligence products that decision-makers may use to inform their decisions and actions.
There are a few variants of the intelligence cycle, but it generally consists of the same stages: Preparation, Collection, Processing, Analysis and Dissemination. Using the Intelligence Cycle can help clarify what each stage of the cycle means for the OSINT research that will follow.
The details of the each Intelligence Cycle stages are explained below:
1. Preparation
A decision maker in an organization will establish the plan, direction or
requirements of the intelligence process. Identifying the requirements
for the organization will entail identifying the policy and security
challenges where intelligence might help the institution operate better.
The criteria are frequently the consequence of a priority approach to
the organization's many concerns. As a result, because intelligence
capabilities are typically restricted, priorities must be established.
Because intelligence creation can be an expensive operation, top
management and the security manager will most likely select who sets
these goals for intelligence production.
2. Collection
The Collection stage is the primary and most crucial step to ensure relevant, accurate, and valuable information is gathered from the many sources as possible.
Internet information can be gathered from a variety of sources, which may include:
Internet information can be gathered from a variety of sources, which may include:
- Data Consensus and Telephone Directories
- Social Media Sites
- Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journal articles are all examples of web articles.
- Court Documents
- Registration and insurance records for motor vehicles
- Mapping Solutions for Land Deeds and Planning Permissions
- Sources of Data Breaches
- The Dark Web
- Online Marketplaces
- Public Demographic Information
3. Processing
Processing, the third stage of the intelligence cycle, is the sorting, arranging, categorizing, and indexing of the collected data. Related information is grouped during the collation stage to outline and confirm a record of events.
The processing process ensures that investigators or analysts involved in the intelligence cycle can identify, examine, and organize the material gathered.
The processing process ensures that investigators or analysts involved in the intelligence cycle can identify, examine, and organize the material gathered.
4. Analysis
After information has been acquired, processed, and assessed, the stage of analysis begins. The analysis stage entails combining data to detect patterns, trends, and discrepancies. Analyzing data allows analysts to develop conclusions and generate actionable intelligence for decision-makers to use during operations to prevent or disrupt incidents or apprehend persons.
The Analysis step provides contextual insights to inform analytical inferences and describe the information's relevance. Recognizing the significance of information entails comprehending what is occurring, why it is occurring, how it links to what is already known, why it is relevant, and what may occur next.
The Analysis step provides contextual insights to inform analytical inferences and describe the information's relevance. Recognizing the significance of information entails comprehending what is occurring, why it is occurring, how it links to what is already known, why it is relevant, and what may occur next.
5. Dissemination
Dissemination guarantees that the intelligence report produced reaches the decision-makers in the format required.
Intelligence must be delivered in a suitable manner for the audience, emphasizing crucial facts and recommendations. Short summaries, extensive reports, geographical maps, oral briefings, and formal presentations are all examples of intelligence products. The intelligence analyst will present the findings of their research and recommendations in the format most appropriate for the intended audience.
The analyst decides who should receive an intelligence product and what type of product they should receive at the Dissemination stage. An analyst may be required to create many product forms to cater to diverse audiences, such as a full report for an investigator but a summary for executives.
Intelligence must be delivered in a suitable manner for the audience, emphasizing crucial facts and recommendations. Short summaries, extensive reports, geographical maps, oral briefings, and formal presentations are all examples of intelligence products. The intelligence analyst will present the findings of their research and recommendations in the format most appropriate for the intended audience.
The analyst decides who should receive an intelligence product and what type of product they should receive at the Dissemination stage. An analyst may be required to create many product forms to cater to diverse audiences, such as a full report for an investigator but a summary for executives.
That's all for now. I will explain on what is passive and active OSINT technique on my next blog post.
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