Summary

This lesson introduced the structure of the Department of Homeland Security intelligence, the intelligence function within homeland security, and the intelligence cycle.

The post 9/11 shift in US intelligence was nothing less than monumental. It was a shift in organization, focus, processes, and culture.

The DHS Intelligence Enterprise (DHS IE) is a part of the US Intelligence Community.  The DHS IE consists of Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Homeland Infrastructure Threat and Risk Analysis Center, and the Intelligence Division of the Office of Operations Coordination and Planning, and the intelligence elements of six DHS operational components:  The DHS IE supports two departments within DHS as well as state, local, tribal and territorial  governments, and the private sector.  This new intelligence enterprise construct dramatically altars the concept of intelligence collection and production as practiced by the US since the National Security Act of 1947.  

Intelligence activities within DHS are guided by a Homeland Security Intelligence Council. The HSIC provides guidance on “processes, standards, guidelines, procedures, strategies, budget guidance, and other implementing policy guidance.”

The HSIE is a subset of the National Intelligence Program. HSIE supports customers in DHS, state and local law enforcement, and the President. The entire US Intelligence Community: 16 organizations (17 including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence).  All play a critical role in ensuring the security of the homeland by providing intelligence to support all-of-government prevent, protect, prevent, policy, and response efforts

The United States Intelligence Community has a process for supporting its consumers. That process is called the Intelligence Cycle. It is a Concept of Operation. The processes for planning collecting, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence do not function in practice as neatly as they are presented in the lesson. More often the process is subverted by organizational processes in the actual reality of collecting and processing information.