Essay Example on Gathering Intelligence Through SIGINT: Intercepting Signals for Security

Introduction

SIGINT is a unique way of gathering intelligence through signals' interception. These signals could be communications or conversations between different persons, i.e. communications intelligence. It could also be through interception of signals transmitted electronically, i.e. electronic information. Activities involving signal intelligence are often conducted from aircraft or ships, as well as satellites and ground stations.

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With the increasing number of terror attacks and threats in the contemporary world, any normal-thinking citizen would love to stay in a country where he feels safe and does not have to worry over what could happen next. This is possible through a robust military defence system that is well-equipped with real-time data. The price we have to pay for this is forfeiting some of the privacy we initially enjoyed. However, this is a price that is worth it and comes along with numerous advantages.

The real strength and value of SIGINT as a source of intelligence can only be witnessed when information gathered from it is used together with those collected from other sources. Such other sources include Human Intelligence, Technological Intelligence, etc.

Lesson 6 Assignment #2

A Full Scope Polygraph combines Counterintelligence and Lifestyle. While the former focuses on questions revolving around terrorist-related activities and issues of sabotage, the latter is more personal, and its questions revolve around any illegal activity you may have been involved in or any usage of drugs as well as if you may have provided any false responses on the clearance security forms.

Part of the efforts to ensure a credible and reliable security task force is to ensure that the individuals we entrust to work there are trustworthy and reliable. The Full Scope Polygraph plays a significant role in helping us understand the employees. Factors such as their susceptibility to bribes and their strength of allegiance ought to be tested to the limit.

Further, it is essential to determine whether their previous actions or affiliations could be a loophole on the defence of the nation. The amount of trust and respect that CIA employees command is due to the efficiency of this process. This level of trust and respect helps them do their job diligently. Full Scope Polygraph for CIA employees should, therefore, remain in use.

Lesson 6 Assignment #3

Joshua Goldberg, who was a Jewish American man, assumed the identity of an Australian supporter of ISIS. Unknowingly, he confided in an FBI confidential informant his intentions to set-off a bomb at Kansas City during the 9/11 memorial event on September 11, 2015. Joshua tried to convince the informant to coat the shrapnel of the weapon in a manner that would maximize the number of casualties. He was stopped in a good time and arrested.

An undercover operative tracked Goodwin, who was intending on executing a joint "suicide by cop" attack. He was to do this together with his wife against a facility that housed the office of the local police and the Sheriff's Department. According to the informant, the two had faced numerous burglary charges but had vowed not to go to prison. Goodwin had an array of weapons and had also planned a biological attack using botulism and anthrax viruses. The natural attack was to be meted on public schools and hospitals that were local.

In all the scenarios mentioned above, the FBI confidential informants had been guided by the team under HUMINT.

References

Matthew M. Aid & Cees Wiebes (2001) Introduction on The Importance of Signals Intelligence in the Cold War, Intelligence and National Security, 16:1, 1-26, DOI: 10.1080/714002838