etterretningsarbeid

Etterretningsarbeid refers to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information that supports decision-making in areas such as national security, defense, and public administration. It is carried out by government agencies, military organizations, and law enforcement, and to some extent by private security actors. The goal is to reduce uncertainty for leaders and to anticipate risks and threats.

The field recognises several main disciplines. HUMINT involves information obtained from human sources. SIGINT covers intercepted signals and communications. IMINT and GEINT refer to imagery and geospatial data, while OSINT relies on publicly available information. In practice, many organizations use an integrated approach combining these elements to form a coherent intelligence picture.

Intelligence work serves multiple purposes, including national defence, internal security, counterterrorism, cyber security, crisis management, and corporate risk assessment. It supports policy making, strategic planning, and operational decision-making, while aiming to inform actions rather than direct them.

Legal and ethical considerations are central. Activities are governed by national law, international law, and data protection standards, with oversight mechanisms to prevent abuses such as privacy violations or political manipulation. Transparency and accountability are balanced against security needs and the protection of sources and methods.

Organizationally, etterretningsarbeid is structured around collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination. Analysts transform raw data into intelligence products, and information flows through formal cycles and security classifications. Domestic and international cooperation is common, subject to legal frameworks for information sharing and export controls.

Historically, intelligence work emerged in the modern state in the early 20th century and evolved through the Cold War. The digital era has expanded data sources and methods, elevating OSINT and cyber-related intelligence while challenging privacy and governance norms.