Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) —
IMINT, or Imagery Intelligence, is intelligence obtained via collecting and analyzing visual data from various sources such as satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, drones, and more. Image formats commonly studied include digital, optical, film-based, electronic, and more. IMINT, a subdiscipline of OSINT (open-source intelligence), originated as a dedicated field of military intelligence research during World War II.
Although aerial and satellite imagery are two of the most popular sources used for conducting imagery intelligence investigations, they are not the only ones. In fact, any image can be analyzed using these techniques, which often deliver rich results. IMINT is a vital tool for organizations such as the military, intelligence bureaus, and law enforcement agencies. It gives them insights into various activities and enhances their ability to make informed decisions.
IMINT data is often synthesized with information from SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) processes and is almost always the basis for various forms of situational assessment. Data synthesis is broadly essential for IMINT accuracy. Regardless of the level of intelligence at play, all systems feed into one another to create an ever more precise picture of what is happening.
The observational objectives of IMINT can be broken down into two disciplines—surveillance and reconnaissance. While you may hear these terms used interchangeably, there is a difference. Surveillance refers to the systematic observation of a variable area of coverage. At the same time, reconnaissance is a distinctly operational form of observation, which usually acts as a precursor to an attack or other military move.
Hence, IMINT has a distinctly strategic aspect, covering a broad operational range. By gaining a highly accurate picture of the current situation, analysts can reasonably predict how circumstances will evolve, which targets should be prioritized, and what issues are likely to occur.
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Featured terms
Blockchains —
In a nutshell, a blockchain is a shared, or distributed, ledger recording transactions and assets. The data is compiled through a continuous verification process that links all transactions into a large, decentralized "chain" of participants, who are linked across a network of peer-to-peer computers...
Data Breach —
Data breaches are the exposure of sensitive or classified information to unauthorized parties and can have disastrous consequences for an organization. When a breach occurs, a company often has to pay out huge sums of money to contain the leak and may also suffer costly reputational damage...
Link Analysis —
The process of link analysis involves examining data to uncover relationships or connections that might not be apparent in raw data sets. It is a powerful analytical tool that has a wide range of applications in various sectors, from law enforcement and national security to cyber and...
Operations Security (OPSEC) —
Operations Security, or OPSEC, involves identifying and consolidating critical information to gain a better understanding of a situation. Additionally, it refers to safeguarding data and ensuring a given mission against eavesdropping by unauthorized parties or accidental compromise...
Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) —
A close cousin of OSINT, SOCMINT is an acronym meaning ‘social media intelligence.’ SOCMINT is the collection and analysis of data from social media platforms. Such information might be used for various purposes, including digital footprinting, link analysis, etc.
Social Media Piggybacking (Piggyback Marketing) —
When a company’s social media post goes viral, it is only a matter of time before millions of people start talking about it. Seeing an opportunity to leverage the post's popularity, companies can join in to redirect some of the traffic toward their services...
Our OSINT Solutions
Un conjunto de métodos de extracción y análisis de datos que abarcan redes sociales, blockchain, messangers y la Dark Web, conectados directamente a tu plataforma interna a través de nuestra Open Data API.
Una herramienta OSINT para llevar a cabo investigaciones exhaustivas en redes sociales, blockchain, messangers y la Dark Web con las plataformas Maltego e i2.