Intelligence and Geo Strategic Developments

Security threats have become more sophisticated and common in contemporary society because of globalization and rapid technological advancements. As criminals continue to develop sophisticated means for carrying out their activities, local and international law enforcement agencies are constantly seeking for measures to prevent and thwart criminal activities. One of the measures that play a critical role in achieving this is intelligence. National security intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies has enhanced their collaboration to help deal with domestic and international security threats. Even though intelligence plays a critical role in modern security, its place in a free society continues to be a controversial issue that evokes a series of passions and responses. This paper examines the role of intelligence in the modern world as a critical component of geostrategic developments.
What is Intelligence?
Intelligence is a term that is used to refer to the collection and evaluation of internal and external security threats (Lemieux, 2018). This process is usually geared toward enabling security agencies and personnel to have a body of knowledge regarding potential internal and external security threats. As a result, intelligence shapes measures undertaken by law enforcement agencies and personnel in fighting crime through dealing with security threats. In most cases, intelligence agencies are established and mandated with the responsibility of gathering, analyzing, and exploiting information to support actions undertaken by law enforcement agencies and the military. During this process, intelligence agencies help in the achievement of military, national security, law enforcement, and foreign policy objectives. Intelligence agencies gather and analyze raw information to generate concrete and synergistic information or knowledge regarding security threats.
Modes of Intelligence Practice in the World
Since every nation across the globe faces diverse internal and external security threats, various modes of intelligence practice have been embraced by law enforcement agencies and security personnel worldwide. One of the most commonly used modes of intelligence practice in the world is community policing, which is part of intelligence-led policing practices (Carter, 2009). In this framework, law enforcement agencies and security personnel work in collaboration with community members to identify potential security threats. Law enforcement personnel collect raw information from community members regarding potential security threats and criminals. This raw information is then analyzed to develop synergistic knowledge, which becomes the premise for law enforcement actions. The second mode of intelligence practice worldwide is tactical intelligence in which a criminal case is developed as part of a continuing major multijurisdictional crime or an ongoing criminal enterprise such as terrorism (Federation of American Scientists, n.d.). This process entails gathering and managing a wide range of information to promote successful prosecution of the target of intelligence. 
Contemporary Developments in Intelligence
Contemporary intelligence has been characterized by enhanced focus on dealing with terrorism, which is a major security threat worldwide. According to Derencinovic & Getos (2007), one of the contemporary developments in intelligence is enhanced cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies toward preventing and mitigating terrorism. The focus on terrorism in contemporary intelligence is attributable to development of new forms of this criminal act. Additionally, intelligence practice in today’s world has been characterized by increased use of technological systems and devices to gather and analyze raw information regarding potential domestic and international security threats. Law enforcement agencies and intelligence personnel continue to adopt latest technologies to conduct surveillance as a means of collecting intelligence. Some of the diverse sources of information used in contemporary intelligence include travel records, surveillance data, bank transactions, pen register, forensic evidence, wiretap, document evidence, and CCTV videotapes. Therefore, emerging technological tools has shaped contemporary intelligence practice (McCahill, 2002). The other contemporary development in intelligence is increased information sharing between different national and international security agencies. Enhanced information sharing is considered as a suitable means toward enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and security personnel in dealing with crime, particularly global terrorism.
Evolution and Trends in Intelligence Practice
Intelligence practice has traditionally been characterized by intelligence analysis and crime analysis. However, early conventional applications of intelligence and crime analysis were rudimentary since the role of law enforcement personnel in fighting crime was largely simplistic response. Over the past few decades, intelligence practice has evolved and characterized by different trends due to changes in police role from simplistic response to management of human security risk (Coyne & Bell, 2011). Traditional intelligence practice was significantly restricted to gathering information regarding potential criminals and retaining such information for use when necessary. Therefore, early intelligence practice was primarily a process of keeping records on people suspected to be involved in criminality (Carter, 2015). 
Intelligence practice has since evolved to adopt a strategic framework for intelligence analysis and crime analysis. Unlike in the past, intelligence practice currently entails analyzing and understanding the threat environment rather than keeping records of suspected criminals. Modern intelligence and crime analysis has become more robust and sophisticated as security personnel engage in efforts to critically examine and understand the threat environment. In this regard, intelligence practice is not only considered, but also utilized as a means for lessening the impact of strategic surprise from environmental change and evolving criminal threats (Coyne & Bell, 2011). Intelligence and crime analysis are viewed as interdependent components that contribute to a unified approach for crime control. 
As a result of these changes, intelligence practice has been characterized by several trends. One of these trends is increased focus on the management concept of intelligence-led policing in a tactical, operational environment. Intelligence-led policing is used as a management tool that guides strategic decision making in law enforcement and influences actions undertaken by security personnel. Secondly, modern intelligence practice is characterized by increased integration of crime and intelligence analysis. During this process, scientific approaches to problem solving are adopted even as new analytic techniques are embraced. The third trend in intelligence practice worldwide is increased adoption of technology to help in collecting and analyzing information on potential security threats. Technological devices and systems are considered helpful toward improving the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in collecting and analyzing information on security threats.
Intelligence and Technological Advancement
Similar to other facets of the society, technological advancements have had significant impacts on the field of intelligence. Generally, any individual can be an intelligence practitioner in the modern society since technological advancements have enabled nearly everyone to possess tools that can be utilized to collect intelligence. With technological advancement, the future of intelligence practice will be characterized by controversy since technology makes it easier for law enforcement agencies to collect information and enhance surveillance. Technology basically makes it easy for individuals and law enforcement agencies to collect information about other people. Due to technology, it is increasingly easier for people to collect information about the identities and daily activities of others. This enhances concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality in an increasingly information-centric society. For law enforcement agencies and security personnel, the use of technology in intelligence gathering generates concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality. This concerns will dominate future intelligence practice since people are usually protective of their personal data and are concerned of surveillance by police and intelligence agencies (Schaub & West, 2014). 
Despite these challenges, the future of intelligence will be characterized by increased use of technology for surveillance and collecting information. For example, law enforcement agencies are looking to utilize drones for surveillance and patrol. Drones are considered helpful in intelligence since they can gather real-time information to crime analysts and police dispatchers regarding ongoing crimes and assess dangerous situations (Roufa, 2018). The modern world cannot seek to ban intelligence practice given its significance in enhancing security. Moreover, intelligence practice remains essential in today’s world since security personnel utilize it to develop stronger ties with the community (Friedman, 2010).
In conclusion, intelligence practice continues to dominate modern security and law enforcement practices. Similar to every facet of the society, intelligence practice has been characterized by increased adoption of technology. Technological systems and devices are considered critical toward improving intelligence gathering and analysis practices. The adoption of technology in intelligence is attributable to the fact that intelligence practice has evolved to become more strategic in management of human security risk. Through adoption of a strategic approach, intelligence practice is currently based on the concept of intelligence-led policing.
References
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Derencivonic, D. & Getos, A 2007. Cooperation of Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies in Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism, CAIRN, viewed 18 January 2019,
Federation of American Scientists n.d. Law Enforcement Intelligence Classifications, Products, and Dissemination, Federation of American Scientists, viewed 18 January 2019,
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Roufa, T 2018. Technologies that are Changing the Way Police do Business, The Balance Careers, viewed 18 January 2019,
Schaub, H. & West, D.M 2014. How Emerging Technology Affects Law Enforcement, The Brookings Institution, viewed 18 January 2019,