Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Advanced 3

As Source (or sometimes Agent) handlers we are exposed to 'friendly' or hostile interest and approach.  We must maintain a high level of awareness, whether our business be online, physical or a combination of the two.  This lesson introduces why we, as handlers, may need various levels of security, depending upon what we do and where we do it. 

This lesson starts to consider handling as a team job - handling and security teams.  A start point to that is working with a co-handler or handling partner who may have varied responsibilities.  The aim of this lesson is to introduce that possibility to you and to further develop your knowledge about the intricacies of HUMINT operations. 

Follow- on from lesson 2 (Approaches & Exchanges). There are potentially multiple risks when handling sources remotely and/ physically - in person. Online it is easier to mask ones origins so an approach from an unknown third party is feasible. The reasons why they may want to do that is many but the bottom line is that it could be a risk to you and your source, so you have to be vigilant and constantly aware of the possibility. In the physical world, the probability may be less - or harder to achieve but depending upon why you are doing this sort of work, and where, will depend upon who may be out there considering hostile intent.

Once again, this lesson is generic. Your particular circumstances and where you work, will drive how much security you may need. You may need more or you may consider less security is suitable for your operating environment. Even online, as we have discussed, security is a necessary consideration and valuable for your role or your business but it usually takes a lot of effort and time to get it right. Balance your assessment of the threats (see the security courses for more detail) with your vulnerabilities and your typical security levels - that will indicate whether you need more or not.

This is an overview but another indication that this course and course 4 will be increasingly looking at practical security for Human Intelligence Meetings (or ‘meets’).

Following on from Meeting Security, we are going to discuss the sequence or order that a meeting generally follows. Obviously - and I appreciate I always say this - but the sequence will depend on your particular circumstances. Take what you need from the lesson and apply it to whatever you intend to do; online meetings, face-to-face meetings, simple low-risk debriefings or handling a source that is in the middle of a criminal or terrorist ring. Naturally, always take into account the threats that you may encounter and build your security model accordingly to protect you, your team (if you have one) and the source.

This is a particular analytical skill-set which is particularly useful for the research component of the Operational Sequence. Typically, analysts will control this element of the process but you may not work in a large organisation that has the ‘bandwidth’ or access to dedicated analysts. If not, components of this will be very useful for your planning & preparation components of meeting your sources.

Chose what works for you and use it. This is not a new process but it has rarely been defined and taught as separate subject until recently. Intelligence is needed to inform the commander what is beyond the next hill. HTA will not only help you to do that but also how to better recruit the right sources.