In god we trust. Everyone else we monitor.
SIGINT & COMINT
(updated 1/30/97)
Signals Intelligence - "1. A category of intelligence comprising either individually or in combination all communications intelligence, electronics intelligence, and foreign instrumentation signals intelligence, however transmitted. 2. Intelligence derived from communications, electronics, and foreign instrumentation signals. Also called SIGINT. See also communications intelligence; electronics intelligence; intelligence; foreign instrumentation signals intelligence."
- DOD Joint Publication 1-02, "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms."
"SIGINT results from collecting, locating, processing, analyzing, and reporting intercepted communications and noncommunications (for example, radar's) emitters. SIGINT provides the commander with valuable, often NRT intelligence and targeting information on enemy intentions, readiness status, and dispositions by intercepting and locating enemy command, maneuver, fire support, reconnaissance, air defense, and logistics emitters. SIGINT operations require efficient collection management and synchronization to effectively overcome and exploit enemy efforts to protect his critical communications and weapons systems through emissions control, communications operating procedures, encryption, and deception. SIGINT is subdivided into: communications intelligence (COMINT); electronic intelligence (ELINT); and Foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT)."
- U.S. Army Field Manual FM 34-1, "Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations"
Communications Intelligence - "Technical and intelligence information derived from foreign communications by other than the intended recipients. Also called COMINT. "
- DOD Joint Publication 1-02, "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms."
Resources
For you Boston area SIGINT hobbyists, here's the entire Boston Metro Area FCC Database in DBF/ZIP format.
Those of you looking for wireless data info might want to check out the comp.std.wireless and Sierra Wireless FAQs.
Trying to identify a digital signal you've heard? Try the SEWI Digital Modes Monitoring Page
Looking for that Usenet post on MDT monitoring?
Military Stuff
The military was one of the first to get into SIGINT and COMINT, and are an excellent source of information on those topics. I've listed a few sites below which you will most likely find useful. All the following information is unclassified; "Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited".
Here's a very interesting paper entitled Tactical Radio Frequency Communication Requirments for IPng.
Go visit The U.S.
Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, where you can download
a copy of
FM
34-60, Counterintelligence
All sorts of useful military manuals (some dealing with SIGINT and COMINT) are available at the Army Training Digital Library (ATDL).
Visit the (unofficial) web site of the 434th Military Intelligence Detachment (Strategic). This is that MI unit that surfs the net looking for "Open Sources Intelligence". They've published an excellent handbook on the subject, which you can download from their site.
Another good source of educational material, especially when
it comes to "Putting It All Together" is the Joint
Electronic Library at the
Defense Technicial Information
Center
Other Places of Interest
TSCM.COM - Counterintelligence and Technical
Security WWW Page
MOBITEX
and Mobile Data Standards
Peter's Scanning Page
(Home of Scan-L)