SOCMINT Intel#
Finished SOCMINT intelligence products and the workflow that produces them. Social-media intelligence answers a decision-maker’s question; the intel page is the operator’s view of the finished output side of the discipline, the production cycle, and the targets the discipline serves.
Production cycle#
The standard intelligence cycle applied to SOCMINT:
Direction, the consumer’s question and Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR).
Collection, the sources cataloged in SOCMINT Sources.
Processing, raw to analytically useful form using the kit in SOCMINT Tools.
Analysis, the techniques in SOCMINT Techniques applied to produce a judgment.
Dissemination, the finished product reaches the consumer in a form they can act on.
Feedback, the consumer’s reaction shapes the next cycle.
Products#
Finished SOCMINT products the operator builds for a decision-maker:
Product |
Purpose |
|---|---|
Spot report |
Time-sensitive single observation with minimal analysis. |
Intelligence summary (INTSUM) |
Periodic round-up of relevant collection and findings. |
Intelligence assessment |
Analytical judgment on a target, situation, or question. |
Target package |
Consolidated dossier on a single target for action. |
Threat brief |
Adversary capability, intent, and likely course of action. |
Pattern of life (POL) |
Behavioral baseline of a person, facility, or system. |
Indications and warning (I&W) |
Tripwires that anticipate adversary action. |
Long-form analytic paper |
Deep examination of a target, doctrine, or issue. |
Consumers#
Decision-makers and other consumers SOCMINT typically supports:
Consumer |
Decision space |
|---|---|
Command / leadership |
Operational direction. |
Operators / unit |
Direct action on the target. |
Plans / J5-equivalent |
Long-range planning. |
Liaison partners |
Allied service or coalition exchange. |
Policy makers |
Strategic decisions. |
References#
SOCMINT for the discipline overview.
SOCMINT Tools for the operator’s kit.
SOCMINT Sources for the data sources.
SOCMINT Techniques for the tradecraft.