Competitive Intelligence

Vertical Intelligence

Military intelligence has really been in the spotlight in the last few years, specifically since the atrocities of 9/11. People expect (rightly or wrongly) that these government intelligence agencies ought to be more successful at gathering sufficient information to predict attacks. One of the biggest stumbling blocks which these intelligence agencies have to face, however, is not gathering and identifying of information, because even if this intelligence was readily available it would be difficult to predict without having a vertical intelligence chain for sharing the information, which can make a real difference.

Government intelligence agencies work in many different ways but generally they’re all working towards the same goals aren’t they. They all work hard to protect the citizens and shores of the United States, and, to be honest, we really don’t know the half of it. Unfortunately for them, we only really hear about the things that they didn’t get right, don’t we?

Vertical Intelligence

A vertical intelligence network of communication is essential so that information can be shared across agency and departmental boundaries. One of the most disturbing facts to come out of the 9/11 atrocity is the knowledge that a number of  intelligence agencies had already identified some of the specific al-Qaeda members as potential possible terrorists, but two hijackers were still permitted to board the planes on that fateful day, because the agency which is responsible for screening passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration, did not have that particular information or access to the database of the CIA.

Intelligence needs to be pieced together in order to complete a whole puzzle, and without a vital piece of information tragedies can and did, happen.