There are six basic intelligence sources, or collection disciplines:
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)
Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)
Human-Source Intelligence (HUMINT)
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
Signals intelligence is derived from signal intercepts comprising -- however transmitted -- either individually or in combination:
The NSA is responsible for collecting, processing, and reporting SIGINT. The National SIGINT Committee within NSA advises the Director, NSA, and the DNI on SIGINT policy issues and manages the SIGINT requirements system.
IMINTImagery Intelligence includes representations of objects reproduced electronically or by optical means on film, electronic display devices, or other media. Imagery can be derived from visual photography, radar sensors, infrared sensors, lasers, and electro-optics. NGA is the manager for all imagery intelligence activities, both classified and unclassified, within the government, including requirements, collection, processing, exploitation, dissemination, archiving, and retrieval.
MASINTMeasurement and Signature Intelligence is technically derived intelligence data other than imagery and SIGINT. The data results in intelligence that locates, identifies, or describes distinctive characteristics of targets. It employs a broad group of disciplines including nuclear, optical, radio frequency, acoustics, seismic, and materials sciences. Examples of this might be the distinctive radar signatures of specific aircraft systems or the chemical composition of air and water samples. The Directorate for MASINT and Technical Collection (DT), a component of DIA, is the focus for all national and DoD MASINT matters.
HUMINTHuman intelligence (HUMINT) is derived from human sources. To the public, HUMINT remains synonymous with espionage and clandestine activities; however, most of this collection is performed by overt collectors such as diplomats and military attaches. It is the oldest method for collecting information, and until the technical revolution of the mid to late twentieth century, it was the primary source of intelligence. HUMINT is used mainly by the CIA, the Department of State, the DoD, and the FBI. Collection includes clandestine acquisition of photography, documents, and other material; overt collection by personnel in diplomatic and consular posts; debriefing of foreign nationals and US citizens who travel abroad; and official contacts with foreign governments.
To improve HUMINT throughout the IC in response to the recommendations made by the WMD Commission, the CIA, working closely with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), established the National Clandestine Service (NCS). The NCS serves as the national authority for coordination, de-confliction, and evaluation of clandestine HUMINT operations across the Intelligence Community, both abroad and inside the United States, consistent with existing laws, executive orders, and interagency agreements. While the ODNI establishes policy related to clandestine HUMINT, the NCS executes and implements that policy across the IC.
The Director of the CIA serves as the National HUMINT Manager, but has delegated the day-to-day responsibilities of this position to the Director of the NCS (D/NCS). The D/NCS is an undercover officer. The D/NCS is assisted by a Deputy Director of the NCS (DD/NCS/CIA), a Deputy Director of NCS for Community HUMINT (DD/NCS/CH), and an Associate Deputy Director of the NCS for Technology (ADD/NCS/T).
The DD/NCS/CIA is responsible for managing CIA's clandestine service. The DD/NCS/CH is responsible for facilitation, coordination and de-confliction of clandestine HUMINT across the Community. In coordination with the ODNI, the DD/NCS/CH is empowered to implement community-wide authorities and, in conjunction with CIA's NCS and IC partners, drafts standards, doctrine, and guidelines for training, tradecraft, and general conduct of clandestine HUMINT operations. The ADD/NCS/T is responsible for managing use of advanced technologies related to clandestine HUMINT.
OSINTOpen-Source Intelligence is publicly available information appearing in print or electronic form including radio, television, newspapers, journals, the Internet, commercial databases, and videos, graphics, and drawings. While open-source collection responsibilities are broadly distributed through the IC, the major collectors are the DNI's Open Source Center (OSC) and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).
GEOINTGeospatial Intelligence is the analysis and visual representation of security related activities on the earth. It is produced through an integration of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information.