Terms

Question 1

Actionable Intelligence

Answer 1

Information that can be acted upon quickly to counter an adversary’s actions, as opposed to information that assists in understanding an adversary’s plans and intentions.

Question 2

Agent (Communications)

Answer 2

An agent is a person unofficially employed by an intelligence service–often as a
source of information. Communicating with an agent can follow many different procedures to transfer that
information to the intelligence officer(s) with whom that agent has regular, professional contact.

Question 3

Agent

Answer 3

An individual covertly employed by an intelligence organization to assist in its activities. Often further identified by his or her role in the intelligence operation.

Question 4

Analysis

Answer 4

The process by which information is transformed into intelligence; a systematic ex-amination of
information to identify significant facts, make judgments, and draw conclusions.

Question 5

Assessments

Answer 5

Development of forecasts of behavior or recommended courses of action to the leadership of
an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert.
Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership to inform decision
making.

Question 6

Clandestine Collection

Answer 6

Not to be confused with covert collection. The intent of clandestine intelligence collection is to keep the activity hidden from public view. While covert activity is also hidden, it is not necessarily denied if discovered–although the sponsor of the covert action is. No one claims responsibility for it. Clandestine means that the existence of an activity is wholly denied. It is meant to remain
undetected.

Question 7

Classification

Answer 7

The determination, in the interest of national security, that official information requires a
specific degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure, coupled with a designation signifying that
such a determination has been made; the designation is typically called a “security classification,” which
includes CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, and TOP SECRET classification levels.

Question 8

Collection Synergy

Answer 8

How different forms of technical, human, and open intelligence collection interact, and work together, to keep the intelligence/performance cycle moving.

Question 9

Competitive Analysis

Answer 9

An idea that is based on the belief that by having analysis in several agencies with different backgrounds and perspectives work on the same issue, parochial views more likely will be
countered—if not weeded out—and proximate reality is more likely to be achieved.

Question 10

Compromise

Answer 10

Not blackmail, in that American intelligence services don’t set people up. However, if we
knew they had made risky or illegal decisions that could put them in danger with the governments in their
countries (unprompted), we might use that information in understanding their motivation or making an approach based on helping get them out of their trouble.

Question 11

Confidence Levels

Answer 11

are based on the quality of source, describe the amount of confidence an analyst has in his/her judgments. High, moderate, and low.

Question 12

High Confidence

Answer 12

The information is of high quality, or the nature of the issue makes solid (not
necessarily perfect) judgment possible.

Question 13

Moderate Confidence

Answer 13

The information is susceptible to
multiple interpretations, or there may be alternative views – credible or plausible, but not totally
corroborated.

Question 14

Low Confidence

Answer 14

The information is scant, questionable, or fragmented, leading to
difficulties in making “solid analytic inferences,” or the information derived from sources that may be
problematic.

Question 15

Counterintelligence

Answer 15

1) The protection of sensitive information from all adversaries. In intelligence organizations, this is done defensively through security practices and internal monitoring of activities and offensively by recruiting penetration agents of the adversary to identify and thwart its efforts to obtain this information.
2) Information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations, or persons or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities.

Question 16

Countersurveillance

Answer 16

measures undertaken to prevent surveillance, including covert surveillance

Question 17

EO 12333 Definition of Covert Action

Answer 17

Covert action means an activity or activities of the United States
Government to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where it is intended that the role of the United States Government will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly

Question 18

Exclusions from EO 12333 Definition of Covert Action

Answer 18

a) Activities the primary purpose of which is to acquire intelligence, traditional
counterintelligence activities, traditional activities to improve or maintain the
operational security of United States Government programs, or administrative
activities;
b) Traditional diplomatic or military activities or routine support to such activities;
c) Traditional law enforcement activities conducted by United States Government law enforcement agencies or routine support to such activities; or
d) Activities to provide routine support to the overt activities (other than activities
described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c)) of other United States Government agencies
abroad.

Question 19

General Definition of Covert Action

Answer 19

An intelligence activity that seeks to influence the decision making of an adversary through the use of propaganda, political action, or paramilitary activities. Covert action is not acknowledged by the country or service that carries it out. In the American context, covert action is authorized by the White House. Covert action generally falls under four categories (although this is flexible):
a. Propaganda
b. Political action
c. Information warfare (IW) – defined in other Key Terms documents
d. Paramilitary – defined in other Key Terms documents

Question 20

Cryptography

Answer 20

The development and creation of algorithms (in the modern, computerized context) or codes used to protect information. The end product of cryptography is encryption. (Not to be confused with Cryptanalysis, which is the science of analyzing and breaking encryption schemes.)

Question 21

Dead Drop

Answer 21

Location where an item is placed in order to separate the physical contact between the agent
and the intelligence officer. For example, the agent places a report in a tin can and leaves it in underbrush
at an agreed-upon site, and a few hours later the intelligence officer retrieves the can.

Question 22

Dead Drop

Answer 22

Location where an item is placed in order to separate the physical contact between the agent
and the intelligence officer. For example, the agent places a report in a tin can and leaves it in underbrush
at an agreed-upon site, and a few hours later the intelligence officer retrieves the can.

Question 23

Deception Operation

Answer 23

Allowing an adversary to obtain information, which manipulates its actions to one’s benefit.

Question 24

Deception

Answer 24

The act of making someone believe something that is not true. Deception is a key tool in espionage and its operations. Sun Tzu, the famed Chinese military strategist, was among the earliest writers
to emphasize its importance to success (for troops and spies) in engagements with enemies.
“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
When using our forces, we must seem inactive;
When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
When far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

Question 25

Decision Advantage

Answer 25

Provision of intelligence to policy-makers that will give them an advantage over their adversaries.

Question 26

Denied Area

Answer 26

Areas in which the host government or controlling actor aims to deny intelligence efforts to opposing governments or actors

Question 27

Encryption

Answer 27

Coding of information or data to make it difficult, or impossible, to read and understand for those who do not know the coding. EX: Instead of writing the word “enemy”, the word “blue”, or the number “23” might be substituted.

Question 28

Estimates

Answer 28

Analytical products that serve two major purposes: Forecasting an issue or a trend over a determined time period; and presentation of the considered judgments of the Intelligence Community on those events or issues.

Question 29

Executive Orders

Answer 29

Policies specifically prescribed by the White House. Related to intelligence, the issuance of Executive Order 12,333 is the explicit authorizing order for intelligence activities carried out by the United States. Executive orders are deemed to have the force of law unless a court rules their contents (in whole or in part) to be unconstitutional.

Question 30

Executive Order 12333

Answer 30

Executive Order 12,333 (commonly referred to as ‘twelve triple-three’) was signed by President Reagan on December 4, 1981. It is seen as the basis of explicit authority for all Intelligence Community activities. Although some of its provisions have been changed or updated, 12333 is still regarded as the foundational document detailing the responsibilities of each intelligence organization and what each member of the Intelligence Community is authorized to do.

Question 31

Foreign Intelligence

Answer 31

Information relating to the capabilities, intentions, or activities or foreign governments or elements thereof, foreign organizations, or foreign persons. (Warner 15; Quoting the National Security Act of 1947)

Question 32

Fusion Center

Answer 32

A collaborative effort of two or more agencies that provide resources, expertise, and information to a center with the goal of maximizing the ability to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. State and major urban area fusion centers are recognized as a valuable information-sharing resource. They are the focus, but not exclusive points, within the state and local environments for the receipt and sharing of terrorism information, homeland security information, and law enforcement information related to terrorism.

Question 33

Global Coverage

Answer 33

This means that intelligence agencies and officers acknowledge their requirements to cover any and all issues or areas.

Question 34

Groupthink

Answer 34

The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility and which a common set of assumptions go unstated or even unrecognized.

Question 35

Indications

Answer 35

In intelligence usage, information in various degrees of evaluation which bear on the intention of a potential enemy to adopt or reject a course of action.

Question 36

Influence Operation

Answer 36

An operation designed to effectively influence the attitudes and behavior of particular foreign audiences while minimizing or avoiding combat. This can include elements of public relations, persuasion (psychological operations, or PSYOPs), or diplomacy.

Question 37

Information Warfare (IW)

Answer 37

A concept involving the use and management of information and communication technology in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent. While there is no universal definition for IW, the generally accepted one looks like this: “The process of protecting one’s own sources of information and, at the same time, seeking to deny, degrade, corrupt, or destroy the enemy’s sources of information.”

Question 38

Intelligence

Answer 38

The process by which specific types of information important to national security are requested, collected, analyzed, and provided to policy makers; the products of that process; the safeguarding of these processes and this information by counterintelligence activities; and the carrying out of operations as requested by lawful authorities. (Lowenthal 10)

Question 39

Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA)

Answer 39

A 2004 law that reformed parts of the intelligence community. The law created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

Question 40

Intelligence Requirements

Answer 40

1. Any subject, general or specific, upon which there is a need for the collection of information, or the production of intelligence. 2. A requirement for intelligence to fill a gap in the command’s knowledge or understanding of the operational environment or threat forces. Also called IR. (JP

Question 41

International Human Rights Law (IHRL)

Answer 41

The body of international law designed to promote human rights at social, regional, and domestic levels. States that ratify human rights treaties commit themselves to respecting those rights and ensuring that their domestic law is compatible with international legislation.

Question 42

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) / Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)

Answer 42

International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

Question 43

Strategic

Answer 43

In the context of military operations, strategy develops an idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and/or multinational objectives.

Question 44

Operational

Answer 44

Links the tactical employment of forces to national and military strategic objectives

Question 45

Tactical

Answer 45

Employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. Joint doctrine focuses this term on planning and executing battles, engagements, and activities at the tactical level to achieve military objects assigned to tactical units or task forces

Question 46

MICE

Answer 46

Money, Ideology, Compromise, Ego. It is a useful way to divide why people spy, but it is not the way to approach a recruitment. CIA doesn’t use this as an operating concept.

Question 47

Mirror Imaging

Answer 47

assumption that other leaders, states, and groups share motivations or goals similar to those most familiar to the analyst. The statement “It would be irrational to do that, so they won’t,” might be based on assumptions about how WE would act not our adversary.

Question 48

Noise versus Signals

Answer 48

Signals, in this context, are clear indications of wanted information that often warn us of threats. Although signals are helpful, picking them from a crowded stream of irrelevant and contradictory information constitutes the noise in which signals are often embedded.

Question 49

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Answer 49

Information gathered from publicly available (“open”) sources, such as radio, television, newspapers, the Internet, etc. The collection of such information is used to augment intelligence analysis and reporting.

Question 50

Operations Officer (OO)

Answer 50

Individuals focus on clandestinely spotting, assessing, developing, recruiting, and handling non-US-citizens having access to foreign intelligence vital to US foreign policy and national security decision-makers. OOs build relationships based on rapport and trust using sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to assess character and motivation.”

Question 51

Operators

Answer 51

These are the people who do the on-the-ground, in-person work of intelligence and military operations

Question 52

Because policy-makers also want to be actors, to achieve goals, and not just to prevent negative occurrences, intelligence that switches the policy-maker from reactor to actor is __________. Sophisticated and difficult to produce, _______________ requires knowledge of policy goals and usually means positing how adversaries will react to policy initiatives. _____________ requires an analyst to judge what possible courses of action might be available to achieve a policy-maker’s stated policy goals.

Answer 52

Opportunity Analysis

Question 53

Paramilitary Activity

Answer 53

Activities of a military nature clandestinely supported, and often guided to some degree, by an entity to influence the decision-making of an adversary. ____________ is different from Traditional Military Activity, or TMA, which is conducted by U.S. military personnel under the direction and control of a U.S. military commander, and in which the U.S. role in an operation is acknowledged publicly.

Question 54

Pitch

Answer 54

An offer made by an intelligence agency to recruit a spy. These can be taken after long “developmental” periods or they can be “Cold Pitches.”

Question 55

Political Action Programs

Answer 55

Generally seek to achieve influence (by changing government behavior or policy) through covert activities that involve the manipulation–legitimate or otherwise–of a foreign country’s political and/or economic systems.

Question 56

Concerns over ___________ arise when intelligence officers alter their evidence (which is supposed to be offered objectively) to support the favored options or outcomes preferred by policy-makers or analysts.

Answer 56

Politicized Intelligence

Question 57

Propaganda

Answer 57

Intelligence agencies covertly disseminate specific information to advance foreign policy goals. United States law prohibits, however, the use of intelligence agencies to influence domestic media and opinion.

Question 58

Recruitment

Answer 58

A “pitch” and the formation of a relationship. The understanding that there is a formal agreement between an agent and a case officer for the provision of services.

Question 59

The __________ is composed of a group of people who are unfamiliar with an analytical product whose role is to objectively view it and aim to find its flaws. This is a way to expose vulnerabilities in analytic products and improve the accuracy of those products by viewing the issue or event in question through the perspective of the units of analysis (usually, our adversaries) and provide decision-making expertise while identifying alternative analyses.

Answer 59

Red Team

Question 60

A __________ is granted to U.S. government personnel (and contractors) whose work is supported by the knowledge of state secrets, otherwise referred to as ‘classified information’. Eligibility for access to classified information is granted only to those for whom an appropriate personnel security background investigation has been completed. The nomenclature and background check procedures for security clearances can vary somewhat within the Intelligence Community.

Answer 60

Security Clearance

Question 61

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

Answer 61

Consists of COMINT (communications intelligence) and ELINT (electronic intelligence, or collection through electronic sensors). This is intelligence collection through the interception of signals as used in communication between people–by phone, radio, text, etc.-or non- nuclear/radioactive electromagnetic radiations. In the U.S. context, this complex, important contributor of actionable intelligence developed out of the need to view enemy communications conducted by telegraph, and later, “wireless telegraphy” (now called radio).

Question 62

Sources and Methods

Answer 62

Identifying information on who is reporting intelligence and how it is being collected. This is often some of the most sensitive information involved in intelligence operations. Its compromise often means a loss of the asset or information flow.

Question 63

The term used to define written laws, usually enacted by a legislative body. ___________ vary from regulatory or administrative laws that are passed by executive agencies, and common law, or the law created by prior court decisions. An E.O is not a statutory law.

Answer 63

Statutory Law

Question 64

Strategic Warning

Answer 64

Message sent by the IC to decision makers, or from decision makers to the military, warning that war or hostile military action is a possibility or is imminent

Question 65

Surveillance

Answer 65

Continuous observation of a place, person, group, or activity in order to gather information.

Question 66

(Operational) Tradecraft

Answer 66

Techniques and methods used by members of the Intelligence Community for the conduct of their respective activities.

Question 67

Warner's Definition of Intelligence

Answer 67

Secret, state activity to understand or influence foreign entities

Question 68

Warning Intelligence

Answer 68

Those intelligence activities intended to detect and report time sensitive intelligence information on foreign developments that forewarn of hostile actions or intention against United States entities, partners, or interests.

Question 69

Warning of War

Answer 69

Short-term warning of expected hostilities, outline of possible attacks, and includes an operational order

Question 70

Wheat Versus Chaff

Answer 70

A related concept to 'signal versus noise.' Refers to the process of wading through available information to find the intelligence that is necessary to have

Question 71

Four Purposes of Intelligence

Answer 71

1. Maintain the secrecy of information, needs (requirements), and methods (counterintelligence) 2. Avoid strategic surprise 3. Provide long-term expertise 4. Support executive, commanders, and the policy making process

Question 72

Four Key Characteristics of Intelligence (Sun Tzu discussion)

Answer 72

1. Separate art beyond warfare or statecraft 2. Secrecy is key otherwise you loose the advantage 3. Goal is decision advantage (foreknowledge, or insight) 4. Outcomes of war can depend on it so it is worth investment

Question 73

Intelligence is the information relevant to the policymaker, information itself is not intelligence

Answer 73

TRUE

Question 74

Strategic vs. Tactical Surprise

Answer 74

Strategic: an overarching goal or plan Tactical: granular methods to achieve the higher goal

Question 75

What is the first duty of intelligence officers?

Answer 75

Detect and prevent surprise. IC learns and is shaped by surprises and failures. It largely exists due to failure of Pearl Harbor and was reshaped by 9-11.

Question 76

Four Ways Surprise Can be Accomplished

Answer 76

1. Whether 2. Where 3. When 4. How

Question 77

Daniel Kahneman on Decision Making

Answer 77

System 1: shorthand (heuristics) operating all the time; these create biases System 2: slow thinking is deliberate, conscious, and effortful

Question 78

Effective Performance of Intelligence Requires

Answer 78

1) Actively Asking and Anticipating 2) Persuading and Warning vs. "Dissemination" 3) Hearing? Believing? Acting?

Question 79

Key Distinction Between Intelligence Cycles

Answer 79

Inclusion of the Policymaker

Question 80

Traditional Intelligence Cycle

Answer 80

Requirements ⤑ Collection/Exploitation ⤑ Analysis ⤑ Dissemination & "Feedback" ⤑ (repeats)

Question 81

Augmented Intelligence Performance Cycle

Answer 81

Ask/Anticipate ⤑ Collect/Exploit ⤑ Know/Analyze/Assess ⤑ Tell, Warn, Persuade ⤑ Hear? Act? Believe? ⤑ (repeat)

Question 82

External Causes of Intel Failure

Answer 82

Not enough info Too much info ("signal to noise" problem" Strategic deception by enemy

Question 83

Internal Causes of Intel Failure

Answer 83

human and organizational pathologies related to critical thinking: incorrect assumptions, biases, politicization, etc.

Question 84

Unmotivated Bias

Answer 84

individual is not aware of the bias (ex. recency bias or group think)

Question 85

Motivated Bias

Answer 85

intelligence actor is affected by something they want or want to avoid; deliberate distortion of intelligence or politicization (ie. "human agency")

Question 86

Basic Information

Answer 86

reference material that answers "what" question; Factual information or baseline knowledge on a subject to provide context, is periodically updated. Ex. How large is the port?

Question 87

Current Reports

Answer 87

focus on recent developments; not just answering the "what" but also the "why" and "so what" questions Ex. How many ships arrived today?

Question 88

Evaluative Assessments

Answer 88

primary goal is to evaluate, answers the "so what and the so what of the so what," are often the most important part of assessment Ex. Why are the ships arriving now?

Question 89

Estimative Reports

Answer 89

about the future, multiple perspectives integrated, can be “strategic” (long term trends or patterns) or “tactical” (the adversary’s likely next move). Ex. When will the port be full?”

Question 90

Warning Assessments

Answer 90

communicate immediate threat; forewarn or sound alarm, predicated on presence of indicators Ex: Military Maneuvers Suggest Preparations for Attack.

Question 91

Art of Analysis

Answer 91

- Future Judgements - Render Complexity Intelligible (ex. foreign cultures) - Focus on Future not Marshal Facts - Support Decision-Makers - Written for Generalists - Meaningful Characterization - Begin with Conclusions and Explore Implications

Question 92

What are two ways analysis can stand out from other sources of information

Answer 92

Intel Sources and Value Added

Question 93

Analyst Fungibility

Answer 93

the tradeoff between analyst spending years developing expertise on a topic vs the need to move analytic firepower to the highest priority

Question 94

Indications and Warning Intelligence

Answer 94

lists made about possible events in the future (surprise attacks, missile launches, nuclear tests, etc.); idea is to analyze what the adversary would have to do to do this then watch for it

Question 95

Politicization of Intelligence

Answer 95

spinning the intelligence to get the answer one wants or one thinks the policymaker wants to hear

Question 96

Inboden on Lines

Answer 96

Bright, Clear, + Firm between Policy and Intelligence Blurry + Permeable between Policymakers and Intelligence Officials

Question 97

Epistemology

Answer 97

How we know what we know; the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.

Question 98

Optimism vs. Pessimism in tensions between policymakers and intelligence officials

Answer 98

Outcome in Iraq in 2004 election 2011 Clapper statement on Libya (war increases tension and the need for intelligence "to get on board)

Question 99

Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

Answer 99

oldest form of intelligence, is acquired from humans; is NOT always clandestine, can be overt

Question 100

George Washington

Answer 100

surveyor, knowing the land. White Post, VA; "first case officer," created intel network that was judged to have made a vital difference in the outcome of the Revolution

Question 101

Advantages of HUMINT

Answer 101

Intent Cheapest Flexibility Only Alternative Development of Deep area of knowledge Collection synergy

Question 102

Requirements or Operating Directive (based on location)

Answer 102

is the mission for collectors, where HUMINT begins

Question 103

Recruitment Cycle

Answer 103

Spot/Access, Develop, Recruit, Turnover or Terminate

Question 104

Traffic Analysis

Answer 104

analyze patterns of messaging even without content

Question 105

SIGINT

Answer 105

Radio @ Tannenberg Underwater telegraph cables@ Zimmerman

Question 106

SIGINT is more broad than COMINT

Answer 106

YES, any type of info from machine, not just related to comms

Question 107

ELINT

Answer 107

electronic intelligence, ex. signal emanating from a particular radar or weapons system

Question 108

American Legal Order

Answer 108

Constitution ⤑ Statutes ⤑ Executive Orders ⤑ Agency Guidelines ⤑ Agency Procedures ⤑ Counsel ⤑ Civil Servant

Question 109

Article 1: Congress

Answer 109

highlighting on state powers Section 8: To declare war...necssary and proper

Question 110

Article 2: The President

Answer 110

Section 1: executive power Section 2 & 3: forms of diplomacy, office nominations (go later to Senate confirmation) but not explicitly given foreign relations power

Question 111

What does the constitution do?

Answer 111

Authorizes (Articles) Constraints (Bill of Rights)

Question 112

A policy function and not an intelligence function

Answer 112

Covert Action

Question 113

Three Aspects of CA under statutory definition

Answer 113

1. Activity of the U.S. government 2. Purpose is to influence military or political conditions abroad 3. Role of USG will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly

Question 114

There is no real plausible deniability within the government for CA

Answer 114

TRUE, the president ultimately approves in writing (since 1980)

Question 115

Assassination

Answer 115

political killing of government leader; terrorists are targeted, non-political

Question 116

Ladder of CA Activities

Answer 116

Information/Propaganda ⤑ Economic ⤑ Political Operations ⤑ Paramilitary ⤑ Assassinations Ban/Targeted Killing

Question 117

CDU elections in Italy, influence in French Election, TPAJAX, STUXNET, Bay of Bigs

Answer 117

All historic examples of covert action

Question 118

Battle of Tannenberg, Zimmerman Telegram, Black Chamber, MAGIC, Battle of Midway, ULTRA, VENOMA

Answer 118

All historic examples of SIGINT

Question 119

What part of a message is transmitted via signals?

Answer 119

cipher text ; scrambled and deciphered from Plaintext using algorithm(KEY)

Question 120

Defensive CI

Answer 120

Physical Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operational Security, Analysis

Question 121

Offensive CI

Answer 121

Collection (on adversary services and their activities), Deception (especially in war), Analysis and Targeting

Question 122

Director of the NSA is "dual hatted," meaning...

Answer 122

he is not only in charge of SIGINT collection, but COMSEC for the USG