Intelligence Analysis in the Digital Age (Studies in Intelligence)

This book examines intelligence analysis in the digital age and demonstrates how intelligence has entered a new era.

While intelligence is an ancient activity, the digital age is a relatively new phenomenon. This volume uses the concept of the "digital age" to highlight the increased change, complexity, and pace of information that is now circulated, as new technology has reduced the time it takes to spread news to almost nothing. These factors mean that decision-makers face an increasingly challenging threat environment, which in turn increases the demand for timely, relevant, and reliable intelligence to support policymaking. In this context, the book demonstrates that intelligence places greater demands on analysis work, as the traditional intelligence cycle is no longer adequate as a process description. In the digital age, it is not enough to accumulate as much information as possible to gain a better understanding of the world. To meet customers’ needs, the intelligence process must be centred around the analysis work – which in turn has increased the demand for analysts. Assessments, not least predictions, are now just as important as revealing someone else’s secrets.

This volume will be of much interest to students of intelligence studies, security studies, and international relations.

Stig Stenslie is Professor at the Center for Intelligence Studies at the Norwegian Defence Intelligence School (NORDIS), Norway.

Lars Haugom is Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Defence Establishment.

Brigt Harr Vaage is Director of Operations in the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS). He was Director of the NIS’ Analysis and Assessment Division (2014-2020).