Week 6 Blog

Both the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) are responsible for collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence information. However, there are some key differences between the two methods.

The CIA utilizes a five step method, which is comprised of Planning and Direction, Collection, Processing, All- Source Analysis and Production and Dissemination.  In contrast, the DNI takes it a step further with a six step method comprised of Planning, Collection, Processing, Analysis, Dissemination and Evaluation.  The key difference between the two being the evaluation process, which is in part due to the fact that the DNI is responsible for overseeing the entire Intelligence Community (IC).  Meanwhile, as an operational agency, the CIA focus remains on collection and analysis of intelligence information.

Despite these differences, the two agencies share similar traits in their planning and direction, as well as the utilization of Human intelligence (HUMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), open-source intelligence (OSINT) in their collection process.  Each side analyzes the information for dissemination to policy makers, ensuring that the information is timely, relevant, and accurate without bias.  Should any additional intelligence be required on the part of the customer (or the President in the case of the DNI), then the intelligence cycle would start once again.

-Alex Enriquez

References:

Benny, D.J. (2022). U.S. National Security and the Intelligence Services (1st ed.). CRC Press.                https://doi-org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.4324/9781003270843 

Liu, G. (2019, September 13). The role of the director of national intelligence as “head” of the Intelligence Community. Foreign Policy Research Institute. https://www.fpri.org/article/2019/09/the-role-of-the-director-of-national-intelligence-as-head-of-the-intelligence-community/