Sigint has gotten actively involved with a new type of electronic communications medium in the recent decade: digital data communications signals, which relate to the transfer of massive amounts of digital data between computer systems and networks. Electronic bank transfer data is a prime example of traffic traveling across this channel. As a result, this research established various questions concerning signal intelligence.
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is the collection of intelligence information through the interception of signals. These signals intelligence is always derived from intercepts of communications that may include, eit'3 her alone or in combination with all electronic intelligence (ELlNT), foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT) as well as communications intelligence (COMINT), which is transmitted (Matthews, 2013). The collection of intelligence signals can be performed from different platforms. Examples of signal intelligence collection include open ground collection sites, such as the collection of facility of Russian at Lourdes, collection of ships and aircrafts at Cuba and covert locations in the United States. The facilities of SIGINT can also monitor transmissions from communications satellites plus terrestrial facilities, hence helps in the hindrance of the threats likely to be posed by terrorist to the United States.
Question 2
Communications Intelligence (COMINT) being one of the primary disciplines of SIGINT always contains information which is derived from intercepted communication transmissions. These disciplines are capable of targeting voice and teleprinter traffic of terrorists, Morse code traffic, video. It also includes messages of facsimile. When access to a place is possible, COMINT can also be collected from the cable, fiber optics, airwaves, or any other medium where transmission is possible. Electronics Intelligence (ELINT) as the second discipline is capable collecting interception and analysis of non communications transmissions, for example radar. It can also be used in identification of the location of an emitter, determining its characteristics, and infer the characteristics of supported systems (CIA, 2008)
Foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT) being the third discipline contains interceptions of telemetry from weapons of an opponent since they are being tested. The units of telemetry do provide designers with information on the guidance of a system operation of a prototype, usage of fuel, staging, and other parameters which are necessary for understanding operational characteristics. The data acquired is useful for the designer in evaluating the performance of the prototype (Chesney, 2012)
Question 3
Limitations of COMINT
The report may provide a plot of the signal against a given location in a case where the transmitter is moving. These might result into a false information provided to the Intelligence Sector. The time and duration of transmission might also be short, hence hindering the periodic transmission, poor information and records will be provided to Intelligence Sector. The transmission can also be which makes it impossible to intercept the information.
Limitations of ELINT
The counting of radars, specification of their precise location, determination of their ranges, and evaluation of operational systems might result into countermeasures which might be capable of overcrowding of the offending surface to the air missile radars.
Limitation of FISINT
FISINT if intercepted will provide the opponent with the power to the capability of the prototype, hence they might receive all the information, hence the Intelligence Sector will not achieve their objectives (West, 2012)
Question 4
Planning and Direction. Involves the proper management of the entire intelligence effort, beginning from the identifying the need for data until the last delivery of the required resources to the intelligence sector. Collection. Is the second step, includes the acquisition of information and provisioning of that information for processing and production elements.
Processing. This is the step, which involves the conversion of information already collected in a suitable form for the production of intelligence. Production. Is the fourth step, where raw data and information is analyzed, evaluated, interpreted, and integrated into finished intelligence products for known or anticipated purposes and applications. Dissemination. Is the final step of the intelligence cycle, which involves conveying the intelligence of the consumer in a usable form (Heidenrich, 2008)
Question 5
The gap between the collection capabilities of the Intelligence Community and analysis of these capabilities are that the world is full of ambiguity, nuance, and complexity. These failures are as a result of inadequate collection, inadequate management reviews, uncritical assumptions of analysis. The reasons why the Intelligence Community of US has not been able to reduce the gap is that the success or failure have been very complicated. This might occur when there are controversies between the Intelligence Sector which is likely to occur as expressed in the contrast between these two worlds (Budiansky, 2016)
Conclusion
To sum up, many people have relied heavily on the use of SIGINT for the identification and disruption of terrorist plots against the U.S. It remains one of the important tools in exploiting an adversary’s utilization of the electromagnetic range with the point of increasing undetected firsthand knowledge on the adversary’s expectations, capacities,impediments and dispositions
References
Budiansky, S. (2016). Code warriors: NSA's codebreakers and the secret intelligence war against the Soviet Union.
Chesney, R. (2012). Military-intelligence convergence and the law of the title 10/title 50 debate. Journal of National Security Law & Policy. 14(1-19), 539-628. Retrieved from http://jnslp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Military-Intelligence-Convergence-and-the-Law-of-the-Title-10Title-50-Debate.pdf
CIA. (2008). Abbreviations and acronyms. Retrieved from CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/directors-of-central-intelligence-as-leaders-of-the-u-s-intelligence-community/glossary.htm
Heidenrich, J.G. (2008) the state of strategic intelligence: The intelligence community's neglect of strategic intelligence. Retrieved https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol51no2/the-state-of-strategic-intelligence.html
Matthews, P. F. (2013). SIGINT: The Secret History of Signals Intelligence in the World Wars. Stroud: The History Press.
West, N. (2012). Historical Dictionary of Signals Intelligence. Lanham: Scarecrow Press.
