Intelligence collection is a vital part of keeping this country safe from foreign and terrorist attacks. In order to do so, the intelligence community gathers information from many different areas through several different tactics.
Specifically, there are six overarching categories that describe the various ways that intelligence is collected. These include:
SIGINT: Signals intelligence, or SIGINT, is the process of intercepting signals or communications transmitted electronically such as through radars, radios, or weapons systems.
HUMINT: Also known as human intelligence, this is the gathering of information from human sources. Interrogation would be classified under this heading.
MASINT: Measurement and Signature Intelligence is the use of intelligence to create detailed reports of targets. For instance, the telemetry of missiles is figured out using MASINT.
GEOINT: The collection of imagery and geospatial intelligence falls under the category of GEOINT, or geospatial intelligence.
OSINT: Open Source Intelligence is the gathering of data from sources that are open to the general public. This includes the news and internet.
IMINT: The creation of images through electronic means such as radar or electro-optics for the purpose of collecting intelligence is known as imagery intelligence, or IMINT.
Although all six of the above disciplines are necessary for thorough intelligence collection, SIGINT and HUMINT are instrumental in protecting this country against foreign attacks, including those performed by terrorists.