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THE HISTORY, ROLE, FUNCTION, AND ORGANIZATION OF THE U.S.

INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY

Sherry Montgomery

Trident University International

HLS502 Intelligence Analysis and Homeland Security (2023FEB27FT-1)

Module 1 SLP Assignment

Dr. Jeremy Francis

March 2023
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Introduction

The collection of intelligence is a crucial aspect of the administration of the United States

of America. US spends a substantial amount of money on intelligence gathering efforts. The

primary purpose of the organization is to establish more strategic and flexible systems for the

provision of military assistance. By adopting comprehensive rules, procedures, and regulations to

protect the nation and its residents, the federal government puts a heavy focus on intelligence

collection and analysis. If the United States does not share knowledge about its methods and

tactics with other nations, they will be defeated.

Major Problems

Cyberattacks, natural catastrophes, human-caused disasters, and the full collapse of North

Carolina's infrastructure are all possible threats, (North Carolina DPS, n.d). According to

Homeland Security (2022), the situation in the United States has not significantly improved,

sadly. Members of terrorist groups preparing strikes in the United States have been recruited

from all over the globe using the Internet. In recent years, a group of individuals capable of

committing violent crimes has formed, alleging many reasons for their actions, such as an

emotional reaction to current events or a commitment to violent extremist ideology, (Homeland

Security, 2022). People from all around the globe have been recruited online to join terrorist

groups planning strikes in the United States. In recent years, a group of people capable of

committing violent crimes has formed, alleging a variety of reasons for their actions, such as an

emotional reaction to current events or a commitment to violent extremist ideology. These

individuals have the propensity to do violent actions. During the upcoming midterm elections,

the holiday season and the large gatherings that accompany it, the two-year anniversary of the

breach of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, and any potential sociopolitical
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developments related to ideological beliefs or personal animosity, it is possible that individuals

who pose a threat will commit acts of violence, (Homeland Security, 2022). In recent years,

people of different colors and religions, as well as members of the press, government, LGBTQI+

community, schools, minority organizations, vital U.S. infrastructure, and even people of other

races, have been the target of an increasing number of violent attacks.

Capabilities of the Intelligence Community

The Special Operations & Intelligence Unit lays a strong focus on both the prevention of

criminal conduct and the protection of workers, (NC Department of Adult Correction, n.d). To

achieve this goal, the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and the North Carolina

State Police have created an innovative proactive intelligence strategy, (NC Department of Adult

Correction, n.d). This strategy combines local, state, and federal law enforcement with data

gathering, review, and analysis. The Special Operations and Intelligence community develops

regulations, procedures, and technology with a focus on safety.

Anything involving the general public, employees, or criminals falls within the

jurisdiction of the Special Operations and Investigations Unit. In addition to this responsibility,

the Community Supervision Officer is responsible for supervising and directing the activities of

the Prisoners and the Community Supervision staff, as well as selecting the most appropriate

goals, objectives, standards, methods, and technology to use when carrying out their assigned

tasks, (NC Department of Adult Correction, n.d).

Also, according to North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (2021) in order to comply

with the North Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the Homeland Security

Section may utilize less than two analysts to conduct proactive threat and information gathering,

depending on the circumstances of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activation. This
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would be consistent with the needs of the facility (NCISAAC). For SERT deployments, it might

be advantageous to have more NCISAAC analysts with operationalizing intelligence collecting

skills (for example, medical support services, etc.).

Methods for handling a crisis may include ensuring that everything continues to run

smoothly, meeting or exceeding customer expectations, and preventing more complications.

There is no emergency response plan that could possibly be adequate in the absence of a strong

police force. Due to this, the FBI never reduces its watch, neither domestically nor

internationally. Many government agencies, including the local police, the OPSFS, and the CBI,

undertake investigations into terrorist acts (Draft, n.d.).

There are a variety of potential repercussions, including giving emergency aid to

impacted communities, governments, organizations, and people, filing criminal charges, and

preserving public health and safety. It is the responsibility of the local administration to respond

to a natural disaster and initiate the recovery process. In contrast, it is the responsibility of the

state to coordinate the distribution of federal aid (Draft, n.d.).

The Central Intelligence Agency is worried about the legislative body's requirement that

professional management and oversight are necessary for any meaningful partnership (2006).

(2006). Although the criteria of the bulk of intelligence "consumers" are similar, there are

significant differences between them. Members would have less access to timely information as

a result of budget constraints implemented in reaction to the events of September 11.

Intelligence Community Assistance

Department of Homeland and Security partners closely with a wide range of government

departments, business organizations, and community groups to meet its purpose of safeguarding

all United States citizens, (Homeland Security, 2022). FBI agents are included because the
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bureau has and will continue to give as much important information and intelligence to as many

individuals as feasible. This is one of the reasons why FBI personnel are included. In order to

achieve this purpose, it is essential that the government and enterprises communicate and

coordinate. The Department of Homeland Security is dedicated to collaborating with other

organizations to guarantee the safety of individuals and to giving assistance to law enforcement

to ensure the safety of communities in preventing and detecting acts of terrorism and other forms

of targeted violence, (Homeland Security, 2022). In addition, DHS is dedicated to providing

assistance to ensure community safety.

Control of Security

The aims of crisis management are to restore operations to normal, to exceed customer

expectations, and to avoid future crises of a similar kind. Without a strong police force, it is hard

to implement any kind of crisis management plan. This indicates that the FBI will continue to

monitor global and domestic events with vigilance. Local police, the OPSFS, and the CBI are

among the entities responsible for conducting investigations into counterterrorism-related crimes

(Draft, n.d.).

Legal action, the protection of public health and safety, and the provision of emergency

aid to municipalities, governments, and organizations, as well as to individuals, are all possible

outcomes. After catastrophic catastrophes, it is the duty of the various local governments to

initiate the recovery process. Notwithstanding the fact that states are accountable for the

distribution of federal funds (Draft, n.d.).

The Central Intelligence Agency has underlined the need of professional monitoring for

Congress's participation (2006). Although individuals differ widely, the bulk of "consumers" of

intelligence have certain criteria. As a result of budget cutbacks enacted in the wake of 9/11,
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members would have fewer money and resources available to them for acquiring important

information.

The Cold War and IC Capabilities

Since the end of the Cold War, the government of the United States of America has used

intelligence gathering. There is a chance that the current intelligence community may trace its

origins to the Cold War. From the establishment of the Republic, intelligence collecting has been

one of the state's most vital obligations. The collection and analysis of intelligence have

historically been two of the most crucial components in determining the effectiveness of U.S.

military operations and the evolution of its foreign policy. During the frigid years of the Cold

War, F.A.S. intelligence was crucial in preventing a "hot war" and bolstering the will of freedom

fighters. This was true even throughout the duration of the Cold War. The 1990s were crucial to

the creation of the intelligence community as it exists today. People are less likely to behave

gentlemanly, and it is more difficult to identify and foresee possible security issues. Like with

any job, working in intelligence comes with its share of possible perils. Very crucial is anything

that can be exploited in the battle against despots, terrorists, drug traffickers, gun runners, and

more hostile tribes (The Intelligence Community, n.d.).

Gaps in the IC

Due to its immense size and degree of complexity, the intelligence community demands

administration of the highest caliber. Due to the nature of the DNI's work, it is crucial that you

have access to this information. It will be a stunning failure if the DNI is unable to restore order

when chaos reigns. The Director of National Intelligence must improve its information-sharing

skills as well as the precision of its judgements in order to reduce the negative impact that fast
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changes often have on the whole intelligence community (rapid changes are typically handled

wrongly) (Burch, n.d.).

Before we can make broad assertions about intelligence, it is vital for us to reevaluate the

assumptions we have made about what intelligence entails. While the federal government has

suggested that it would give funding for fusion centers, the states and local governments are

ultimately responsible for their construction. In order to prevent the return of a centralized

intelligence community characterized by large bureaucracies located within the Beltway and

disconnected from its customer base, it is imperative that we integrate this initiative, network the

capability, ensure information sharing in both directions, and, most importantly, sustain these

initiatives over time. This will avoid a recurrence of the intelligence community becoming

detached from its client base. If these challenges are not addressed, the intelligence community

will continue to enjoy the same amount of exclusivity and preeminence as it does today (Burch,

n.d.).

Conclusion

There has to be no room for error in the data collected in order to keep the nation safe

from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. The government and the intelligence community

must thus be familiar with the concepts, theories, methods, and processes that underpin the

gathering and analysis of intelligence. Cooperation and intelligence sharing are great ways to

improve the quality of information provided to consumers, but they can only be successful if

proper standards are in place.

References

Burch, J. (n.d.). The Domestic Intelligence Gap: Progress Since 9/11? - Homeland Security

Affairs. Retrieved May 29, 2022 from https://www.hsaj.org/articles/129

Caparini, M., & Born, H. (2016). Controlling and overseeing intelligence services in democratic

states. In Democratic Control of Intelligence Services (pp. 25-46). Routledge.

Colorado - Terrorism Liaison Officer and the Community Awareness Programs | FEMA.gov.

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/fr/node/465083

DRAFT (n.d.) https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/DOD/manual/full text documents/State

Authorities/Colo. EOP_Annex_Terrorism.pdf

Homeland Security (2022) Summary of Terrorism Threat to the United States National Terrorism

Advisory System Bulletin - November 30, 2022 | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

Intelligence Issues for Congress - EveryCRSReport.com. (2006). Retrieved May 29, 2022 from

https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL33539.html

NC Department of Adult Correction (2022) Summary of Terrorism Threat to the United States

Special Operations and Intelligence Unit | NC DAC

North Carolina DPS (n.d) SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE UNIT North

Carolina Department of Public Safety SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE

UNIT

Sanborn, J. (n.d.). Countering the Evolving Terrorism Threat - Police Chief

Magazine.RetrievedMay 29, 2022 from

https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/counteringthe-evolving terrorism-threat/

The Intelligence Community. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/npr/library/report s/intelexe.htm
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