An upsurge in the use and sharing of information in the world

The Use of Strategic Intelligence

The use and sharing of information has increased around the globe, a development that has made communication and company operations easier overall. The information a business needs to operate in a favorable climate and comprehend the current processes that are used for future planning is included in strategic intelligence. Strategic planning, by definition, involves the combination of various intelligences to foster a synergy between business intelligence and competitive intelligence. The data gathered support knowledge management, which is essential in providing the value-added data required for corporate strategic decision-making. There are various intelligence collection activities that can be useful to the national policy in the decision making process. The disciplines are used in the acquisition of data about the US and its competitions and positional threats. The first tool is the HUMINT, which stands for human intelligence and involves data that is derived from human sources. It is performed by overts and collectors and despite the technological advances, many countries still find it appropriate to use HUMINT. The other approach is he consideration of SIGINT, which is derived from signal intercepts that are either individual-based or a combination of other techniques such as electronic intelligence (ELlNT), communications intelligence (COMINT), or foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT). The information is obtained from airwaves, fiber optics, cable, and facsimile options. Alternatively, information can be obtained through IMINT techniques, which involve imagery analysis techniques gotten from visual photography radar sensors and lasers and is vital for adversary intelligence options. GEOINT involves geospatial intelligence and incudes the IMINT that is aids in providing critical information by US adversaries. Lastly, the OSITN option assists intelligence agencies through open source options and involved the most reliable upon source for information.

The Usefulness of Strategic Intelligence

The usefulness of strategic intelligence is perceived in the policy making and decision-making processes. The intelligence information is useful for the National Security Council, the President, the military commanders and for the major departments in the government. The policy maker would rely on the data gathered through the intelligence systems in gathering information for low-priority status on the pressing issues that need to be addressed urgently. The technical advances have enabled more awareness than in the past especially when using open source collection tools in the gathering of data. The foreign and domestic newspapers, email, and periodicals enable the policymaker in sty abreast with current information and present events that enable them to adjust effectively depending on the needs.

Improving Political Judgment through Strategic Intelligence

Furthermore, the advances in strategic intelligence systems have eased the process of political judgment and made policy-makers more confident in carrying out state duties. Networking skills have since enabled the creation of personal political analysis option so that that arguing about the issues such as politics is more enhanced. For example, according to an information expert, the overall effect is that the abundance in data has ensured that policy-makers do not have to question the politics in the military processes in a missile report for example as they can argue out complex issues with ease and reach an amicable decision.

The Importance of Mindsets in Decision Making

Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that through strategic intelligence, policy makers are able to understand the various inputs of consumer and producer groups and how they influence intelligence processes. Mindsets remains a core element of the perceptions that guide the decision-making processes and the ability of a policy-decision maker to use the available data for better outcome is a crucial factor. For example, it is noted that through countering misperceptions, decision-makers can get rid of distortions that involve miscalculated consequences, inaccurate inferences, and misjudged reactions. The decision reached will thus be well informed and adequately researched, and which boost the decision-making agenda. The formulation of objective decisions is thus more warranted when a policy-maker considers the use of strategic intelligence.

Avoiding Divided Analysis with Strategic Intelligence

It is, however, important to highlight that in the decision-making process, it is critical that the various components of the strategic intelligence are covered are as a unit to avoid the problems of divided analysis. Research has shown that one of the major setbacks of the decision-makers is the problem of stovepipes that have since proved to be a challenge in in the product dissemination process. The proliferation of stovepipe collection involves the gathering of data by considering the individual inputs as if they were individual entities rather than combining them for a more integrative outlook. The stovepipe effect is a term that is used to refer to the vertical organizations that are involved in the collection, processing, evaluation, and dissemination of information that is critical for the organization. When it is carried out without a basic perception and appreciation of strategic intelligence, there are chances that the operator would find themselves dealing with too much information. It is particularly a challenge for the military when there are large volumes of data presented and uncorrelated information that may result in the policy maker brushing aside the vital information.

Maintaining Relevance and Specificity in Data Collection

It is thus advisable that the personnel should ensure that the data is as specific as possible so that the starting details and intelligence products are relevant for the investigation. The collection method used should reduce on the possibility of overstating for more convenience as it is only then that there will be more guarantee on the appropriateness of the products to the needs of the policy-maker.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is affirmed that strategic intelligence, through the integration of both traditional and modern techniques, boost information availability that aids the decision-making process. There are varied forms of collection techniques that are used by among them, the open-source technique is the primary and the most widely considered option. In the policy-making process, the data gathered aids the decision-making process through providing varied forms that ensures there is more efficiency. Furthermore, the realization of more objective techniques is achieved though strategic intelligence. It is thus recommended that stove typing is discouraged to limits the likelihood of the decision-maker being overwhelmed with irrelevant information.

Bibliography

Federation of American Scientists. “Intelligence Collection Activities and Disciplines.” Intelligence Threat Handbook, 2015. https://fas.org/irp/nsa/ioss/threat96/part02.htm.

Frini, Anissa, and Anne-Claire Boury-Brisset. “An Intelligence Process Model Based on a Collaborative Approach.” Collective C2 in Multinational Civil-Military Operations, 2011. http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a547105.pdf.

Gookins, Amanda J. “The Role of Intelligence in Policy Making.” The Johns Hopkins University Press 28, no. 1 (2008): 65–73. http://www.bard.edu/civicengagement/usfp/docs/gookins.pdf.

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Pellissier, Ren, and J-P Kruger. “Understanding the Use of Strategic Intelligence as a Strategic Management Tool in the Long-Term Insurance Industry in South Africa.” Journal of Information Management 13, no. 1 (2011).