This is a concept that is often complex in its application, but should be simple in its understanding. The first stage is to understand the operating environment; this involves an appreciation of the background scenario (basic intelligence), information in relation to ongoing activity (current intelligence) and a prediction of future events (applied intelligence). All of [...]
Let us clarify the relationship between classification, accuracy of information, reliability of source and the distribution of intelligence. There is often confusion over these four aspects of our work as many people are tempted to link them together. For example, I often hear the view that top secret information is, due to its high classification, [...]
A great deal of intelligence effort is expended looking into the past at unexpected events, security breaches, under-performance, operational failures and so on. This is a perfectly natural human instinct as we seek to understand what has happened, particularly if it is an adverse incident. We are often driven by a target-focussed system that demands [...]
Let me make the case for intelligence-led operations. I believe that direction, priorities, outcomes, resources and security need to be determined and coordinated by command decisions driven by quantified and assessed intelligence. Running around looking busy is an often used form of misguided reassurance that something useful is being done. How many press conferences do [...]
The intelligence cycle is a great piece of doctrine and one which has kept us, in the intelligence business, on the straight and narrow for so long. It has served us well and I'm sure will continue to do so into the future. There are elements of it though that need examination past the obvious. [...]
Do you want to understand better the business dynamics in your sector? Are you looking for options to drive forward your business in a challenging environment? To find out more about what QRO Global could do to assist your business or to learn more about the types of projects that we have worked on in [...]
Do you want to understand better the business dynamics in your sector? Are you looking for options to drive forward your business in a challenging environment? To find out more about what QRO Global could do to assist your business or to learn more about the types of projects that we have worked on in [...]
Oft maligned and ignored, the humble collator, day after day, feeds our intelligence databases In some organisations the collator posts are treated as a rite of passage for your aspiring analyst - learning the ropes from the shop floor upwards. Other places, they are seen as dead-end and never-ending jobs for those who will never [...]
"Applied intelligence exploits relevant basic and current intelligence to meet the specific requirements of and to provide direct support to the decision-making process" This is in contrast to: Basic intelligence - reference material for planning and provides the background to a potential adversary and the operational environment. It embraces issues such as the organisation, doctrine, [...]
Is there a case within the Intelligence Cycle for a validation phase? I hear it argued that the Intelligence Cycle lacks depth due to its simplistic structure and its four basic stages of Direction, Collection, Processing and Dissemination. Others maintain that its simplicity is its strength as long as its employment is controlled and managed [...]
