An intelligence agency is a governmental organization devoted to gathering of information by means of espionage (spying), communication interception, cryptoanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public sources.

Intelligence agencies are also involved in defensive activities such as counter-espionage or counter-terrorism.

Some agencies are involved in assassination, arms sales as well as coups d'etat and other covert operations, in order to support their own or their governments' interests, and the placement of misinformation (propaganda).

See Also

• List of intelligence agencies
• List of intelligence gathering disciplines
  • SIGINT or Signals Intelligence
  • HUMINT or Human Intelligence
  • ELINT or Electronics Intelligence
  • IMINT or Imagery Intelligence
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
• Mukhabarat
• Secret police
• Security agency

External link

• Intelligence News
• Outsourcing Intelligence