Operational Intelligence (OPINT)
Finding things out is only part of what we do. The information we gather is useless until it has been analysed and interpreted to reveal the significant intelligence it contains. Operational Intelligence involves the core skills of processing and analysing information.

One important example of this is Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB). Used correctly IPB answers vital questions such as where, when, how and why an enemy is likely to attack. IPB often provides a graphic representation of an area, illustrating crucial details and giving an insight into likely enemy strategy.

Counter Intelligence (CI)
Counter Intelligence involves the identification of, and protection against, enemy intelligence operations such as espionage, sabotage, subversion or terrorism. CI comprises two main areas: security intelligence and protective security. Security intelligence seeks to find the identity, capability and intention of the enemy, learning how he operated in the past, how he is operating in the present and how he is likely to operate in the future.

Protective security is the systematic implementation of physical and personal defensive measures. While working in protective security, we may examine sites of national importance, such as power stations and government buildings, and design complex security systems. We may also investigate breaches of security.

Specialist skills
Supporting the core disciplines of OPINT and CI are four specialist areas that employ specific skills and equipment. These are: