Importance Of Studying Intelligence Operations From An Intelligence College

The field of intelligence work is a growing field

. Intelligence operations and intelligence analysis has been a mainstay of U.S. national security since World War II. Since that time intelligence work has been conducted in offensive and defensive capacities. Much of the security America enjoys can be attributable to intelligence work. Since September 11, 2001, intelligence agencies have been the center of attention. Unfortunately, a good deal of the attention given to intelligence agencies since 9/11 has been negative.

The negative attention received by intelligence agencies was due to the perceived inadequacies and inefficiencies within the intelligence system. A move away from Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and an inability to recruit spies in the right places were areas of criticism directed at the intelligence community. Another kind of criticism was leveled against the intelligence community that related to the management of intelligence and the communication within intelligence agencies. The cumulative effect of lack of operatives and poor overall management was perceived to contribute to the inability to track the attackers before the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

The overall intelligence problem can be reduced to, among other areas, an inability to conduct intelligence operations and intelligence analysis. Because of the lack of HUMINT assets, important intelligence could not be gathered from adversaries who did not rely heavily on electronic communications and who were not sponsored by any country. Accordingly, a terrorist group could organize, plan, and communicate in ways that the U.S. intelligence community could not adequately track. Similarly, the information that was available to intelligence agencies was not synthesized into a coherent whole that allowed for a greater recognition of patterns. The intelligence that would be quite useful in a mosaic of similar intelligence was not actionable by itself. Because agencies did not communicate and share information, intelligence lapses were perceived to have occurred.

The outcome was ineffective intelligence operations and intelligence analysis. To counter the problems with intelligence work, many universities have begun to offer formal education in intelligence studies. Only a few, however, solely focus on strategic security and intelligence management. As such, it is important to choose the right intelligence college when preparing to begin a degree program in intelligence. Though choosing the right intelligence college to attend can be difficult, a few considerations can help with the decision.

One such consideration is the program of study. Some intelligence programs are not exclusively focused on intelligence and are better termed national security studies. A better choice for someone looking to work within the intelligence community is to find a degree in intelligence management. A bachelor's or master's degree in intelligence management offers the student a concentrated focus on intelligence operations and intelligence analysis while also providing instruction on the management of intelligence assets. Another consideration is the faculty. Faculty with advanced degrees and who have worked in the intelligence field will be able to teach the course material with greater authority, and will provide the student's degree with greater credibility. Yet another consideration is whether the intelligence college is fully online or not. A fully online degree in intelligence management will offer the student flexibility while he or she seeks career advancement, and, at the same time, attends to family and work.

Though it was mentioned earlier that intelligence deficits have been the focus of attention for some time, many intelligence successes have been of recent interest too. The most notable intelligence success was the finding of Osama bin Laden. Other successes are also apparent, such as the strategic dismantling of Al-Qaeda. It is no surprise that the recent intelligence successes correspond to the increase in formal studies in intelligence management.

by: Dan Sommer

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