Human intelligence, HUMINT, is a form of intelligence that emphasis on the collection of information through human-to-human interaction, physical or by means of communication media. Signal intelligence, SIGINT, on the other hand, involves tapping of signals from communication media or other signal generators. In situation where SIGINT involves communication between people, it is referred to as communications intelligence, COMINT. Then, when SIGINT involves electronic equipment, it is referred to electronic intelligence, ELINT. MASINT is a form of intelligence that involves collection and processing of data with a view to relate the signals or signatures to particular source. The target source may be dynamic or static target.
While HUMINT involves interrogations, which may be accompanied by conversations from human beings , SIGINT does not involve interrogations, but involves pure listening to the conversations, which emanates from tapped signals. For this reason, one would say SIGINT involves recording, relaying and listening of intelligence information. Since HUMINT involves interrogations, listening and interpretation forms a key part of the process. Then, both HUMINT and SIGINT involve listening processes conducted in an effort to collect data. MASINT takes the same form of interaction as SIGINT except that the former is involves the gadgets to perform full intelligence analysis. The function of human being is to act on the intelligence delivered. The concept of MASINT and technical intelligence, TECHINT are similar except the latter is a more specialized form of intelligence applied in weaponry.
Interests or subjective opinion does not guarantee the reliability of information gathered by the use of HUMINT because the interactions are often vulnerable to interference. Following this, a number of sources are necessary to ensure considerable reliability of intelligence information gathered. This also makes it an involving method of acquiring information because the sources have to be prepared and treated to deliver the information. SIGINT is, however, a highly reliable source of intelligence because the signals are attributable to certain sources. SIGINT and MASINT makes it is possible to trace location of the source without physically being present . This saves on time and resources used in conducting intelligence.
Other than the reliability of the information, the human medium for intelligence is itself highly unreliable and is vulnerable to change their opinions to reflect their interests. They may distort the truth, hide it or overstate it depending on their state of personal interest. Under normal conditions, the hardware used in SIGINT and MASINT are more reliable than human beings are. Such hardware systems used do not shift positions suddenly, but remain faithful.
HUMINT is vulnerable to unethical procedural methods of interaction used in obtaining information. This is because participants may fail to co-operate, thereby compelling the interrogator to adopt adverse methods of obtaining the information. In SIGINT, the operator requires to learn about using the hardware and interpret the information. There is no ethical issue in the usage of the hardware expect when the intelligence process is driven by malice. SIGINT and MASINT are preferable where a lot of secrecy, confidentiality and quick assessment are preferred. HUMINT cannot be relied on under these conditions because it requires closer interaction with the target. In adverse environment such as war zones, robots that are MASINT or TECHINT based are the preferred choice.
HUMINT is also subject to psychological issues with respect to the treatment administered to the expected source of information. Some of these treatments leave both the interrogator and the source psychologically adversely affected. Where a captive is involved and may not be willing to contribute necessary information, adverse physical measures are taken to obtain information. This situation can lead to the uproar from rights activists and moral law observers. In SIGINT, such occurrences are rarely experienced. SIGINT and MASINT cannot be compromised by psychological factors because they do not involve human beings directly.
HUMINT may be rich in terms of variety of information required. Human intelligence can access crucial information and even conduct subtle investigation by posing as refugees, student attaches or even tourists. This way, they are able to provide valuable information on matters they know. HUMINT faces a challenge of interference by participants due to emotional attachment and personal interests although it is a valuable source of information. Since HUMINT can easily be compromised, it can be turn to sources of counterintelligence. SIGINT is limited in terms of the information since the gadgets used may only allow one form of signal perception. The gadgets may be inflexible, and it may require larger capital investment in perceiving signals . Moreover, SIGINT and MASINT require interaction with targets, which can generate transduced signals.
The process of obtaining intelligence through HUMINT can be involving, in terms of preparation of candidates, to conduct the intelligence process. This is because the candidates should fit in different cultures where they are assigned. Therefore, there is a need to master the target culture and learn all the fundamentals. Besides, the candidates must get psychological training, on how to conduct themselves, to avoid being unmasked. In SIGINT and MASINT, the process of training experts to participate in the process is less involving because it enhances interpretation and machine handling abilities. In addition, SIGINT does not involve training on blending, obtaining information or masquerading; as a result, it cannot be reliable.
As HUMINT takes time in orientating with norms and practices of a given culture before one may commence coding intelligence, SIGINT and MASINT involves instant reception of the signals. The latter does not require blending time because signals are tapped as they are generated from the target. This way, SIGINT is more suitable than HUMINT in combating attacks and terrorism.
Since HUMINT relies on the natural senses of humans, it gives general information about the intelligence and cannot offer details or quantifiable values. In situations where inferences are made, the level of errors in the intelligence information goes higher. SIGINT and MASINT relies on electronic sensors in relaying information, this makes SIGINT more reliable over HUMINT in terms of quantification and qualification of the intelligence.
HUMINT is also vulnerable to ethical issues especially where physical harm is involved in the interrogations. Apart from that, human intelligence may use respondents like refugees without their consent. Although SIGINT and MASINT are less vulnerable to ethical issues, their use has extended to more than just seeking intelligence; they have been employed in areas such as hacking, intrusion, terrorism and stealing.
Bibliography
Bengt, Beckman, and G.,McKay C. Swedish Signal Intelligence 1900-1945. Routledge, 2013.
Bernsten, Gary. Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and National Leadership. Potomac Books Inc., 2008.
Hephaestus-Books. Articles on Signals Intelligence, Including: Boeing Rc-135, USS Liberty Incident, Lockheed U-2, General Atomics Mq-1 Predator, Northrop Grumman Rq-4 Global Hawk, Surveillance Aircraft, Lockheed Sr-71 Blackbird, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Hephaestus Books, 2011.
