Network Intelligence: An Emerging Discipline

Prior to 9/11, the intelligence process and tools used by our government were primarily directed at known threats with well understood functions and activities. However, with the rising importance of non-state actors and asymmetric threats, threat-focused processes and tools are now directed at known threats whose functions and activities are not well understood [1]. Today´s intelligence environment is characterized by data overload, with the information age exponentially increasing the volume, variety, and velocity of available data [9]. This environment has spawned the development of an entirely new intelligence discipline, Network Intelligence (NETINT).