SIGINT
Electronic spy craft
SIGINT is signals intelligence—information gathered by intercepting electronic communications and other signals.
The term originated in military and intelligence contexts: The NSA is the primary U.S. agency responsible for SIGINT.
It encompasses intercepted radio transmissions, radar emissions, and digital communications.
In computing, SIGINT is also the Unix interrupt signal sent when a user presses Ctrl+C.
Seize en route
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- wiretapHidden listening device
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
antenna · receiver · satellite · listening post · traffic analysis · metadata · ground station
Study of breaking ciphers
- codebreakingSolving secret communications
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- cipherHidden writing system
- pattern recognitionIdentifying regularities in inputs
fusion · dissemination · reporting · exploitation · processing · linguist · analyst · indicators
Federal cryptologic intelligence agency
- Five EyesSignals intelligence coalition
- CSSWeb presentation language
- EchelonBrand or title
- Bletchley ParkWWII British cryptanalysis site
Protecting sensitive information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- scramblerDevice that jumbles signals
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
- secure communicationsSafeguarded exchange of information
intercept
Seize en route
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- wiretapHidden listening device
monitoring · antenna · receiver · satellite · listening post · traffic analysis · metadata · ground station
cryptanalysis
Study of breaking ciphers
- codebreakingSolving secret communications
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- cipherHidden writing system
pattern recognition · fusion · dissemination · reporting · exploitation · processing · linguist · analyst · indicators · geolocation
NSA
Federal cryptologic intelligence agency
OPSEC
Protecting sensitive information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- scramblerDevice that jumbles signals
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
secure communications · emission control · shielding · anti-jamming
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- cybersecurityantivirus, malware, firewall, firewalls, encryption
- Military AcronymsAWOL, MIA, KIA, POW, NCO
- Intelligence AgenciesCIA, FBI, NSA, MI5, MI6
- military communicationsradio, walkie-talkie, radio operators, morse code, encrypted message
- NSANSA, cryptanalysis, codebreaking, electronic surveillance, Edward Snowden
SIGINTHUMINT
Intelligence from people
human intelligence · spies · informants · spy rings · defectors
SIGINTpublic information
Accessible-to-all data
press releases · academic research · journalism · diplomatic channels
signal, intelligence, signals, signals intelligence, signaling, intelligently, signage