Intelligence Not Just A 'Bond' Game Part I
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2026 4:21 am
What is an Intel Officer?
An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile and analyze information (known as intelligence) which is of use to that organization.
What do they need to know?
Ensuring that the hard work of the field agents and analysts is not compromised by leeks or carelessness is a primary concern. To help maintain the integrity of the data, the intel officer employs several levels of security clearances and designations. Only those individuals with the appropriate clearance and position have routine access to certain levels of information.
However, situations change quickly in the world of espionage, and agents must be willing to adapt in order to stay ahead of its enemies. Therefore, a certain breadth of discretion is given to officers with access to sensitive materials when disseminating information. Generally, the guidelines revolve around the concept of "need to know": if an agent has a need to know specific details about a case or operation for which he or she does not have clearance, a case officer or any other officer of appropriate clearance levels may pass the information in question along to the agent. However, this is not done casually- "need to know" must be evident and clearly demonstrated.
2.1- Primary Classifications
Below are the primary clearance levels attached to all information in possession of the agent. All information, regardless of how trivial or explosive, that crosses an analyst's desk is tagged with the appropriate designation.
2.11-Open Access-class (General Consumption)
Information deemed benign enough for general consumption is tagged OA, or Open Access. Despite appearances to the contrary in the world of Star Trek, the overwhelming majority (about 95% is the conservative estimation) of information in the possession of Starfleet is tagged as OA. Such information, for example, might be economic data such as stock exchange reports; scientific and medical data such as progress reports on researching a cure for a deadly disease; or the minutes and proceedings of the Flag Council.
However, keep in mind that OA-tagged data is not always completely benign. Good analysts can glean a great deal from such information, such as taking references in science reports to ship locations to gain clues as to enemy fleet disposition.
2.12- SECRET-class
Information tagged as SECRET would cause harm to the Federation, Starfleet, or Federation interests of it were to fall into the wrong hands. Such info would likely be info regarding ship disposition, ship and weapon specifications, location and nature of war exercises, etc.
2.13- TOP SECRET-class
Information with a TOP SECRET flag would cause significant damage to Federation or Starfleet interests and/or compromise Federation security. Such information might be military research and development information, including budgetary information as well as development specifications, or Starfleet's general plan for defending the Federation.
2.14- OMEGA-class
Information designated OMEGA-class is so secret (often called "Ultra Secret" in lieu of OMEGA) that, if obtained by a threat species, it could cause extreme and/or catastrophic harm to Federation interests and greatly hinder or eliminate completely Starfleet's ability to defend itself or the Federation. Such information could even start a war between the Federation and other governments.
Examples of such information might be details of the most sensitive operations or critical scientific and technological data, or even keys to Starfleet communication codes and ciphers.
2.2- Secondary Classifications
This second level of classifications is a further refining of the primary classifications that allow an agent to further control the dissemination of such information.
2.21- Flag Officer's Only
Flag Officer Only-flagged information is exactly what it appears to be- information intended for the eyes of Flag Officers only. Usually, this applies to TOP SECRET information.
2.22- Critical Weapons Data (CWD)
Information tagged CWD is generally of a TOP SECRET or OMEGA classification, as it deals with specifications of the weapons of Star fleet or those of foreign powers.
2.23- Communications Security Information
CSI-flagged information is similar to CWD info, except that data tagged CSI deals with communications capabilities and cryptological abilities.
2.24- Sensitive Source Information
Information flagged SSI must be treated with extreme caution, as it includes information about sensitive sources. Such information is usually a report that identifies an informant, double agent, or deep cover agents working for Starfleet. It may also be in the form of a report that identifies known operatives of other governments. As such, this information is usually tagged OMEGA-class, or TOP SECRET at the very least.
2.3- Data Access Levels
A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the starboard and engineering computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.
The levels are:
LEVEL 5
Unlimited access to all classified, secret, top-secret, ultra-secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records.
LEVEL 4
Limited access to all classified, secret, top-secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 3
Limited access to all classified and secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 2
Limited access to all Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 1
Limited access to Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited to job related elements.
One of these levels is assigned to each member of Starfleet, as follows:
Flag Officers LEVEL 5
Captains, Commanders and certain specific personnel (duty related) LEVEL 4
Lieutenants, (S.G & J.G.) also certain specific personnel (duty related) LEVEL 3
All personnel in operational duties LEVEL 2
All personnel and Civilians in Starfleet service LEVEL 1
2.4 Security Clearence Grades
Security Grades go hand in hand with Data Access Levels. They are graded based on rank.
Level 10 - Captain/Colonel and Above
Level 9 - First Officer/Second In Command
Level 8 - Commander/Lieutenant Colonel
Level 7 - Lieutenant Commander/Major
Level 6 - Lieutenant/Marine Captain
Level 5 - Lieutenant Junior Grade/First Lieutenant
Level 4 - Ensign/Second Lieutenant
Level 3 - All Non-Commissioned Personell
Level 2 - Civilian Personel
Level 1 - Open Access (Read Only. This grade usually given to visiting member of non Federation races.)
3. Methods of Gathering Intelligence
Agents of Starfleet Intelligence (SFI), as well as those of foreign powers, use several methods to procure intelligence. Some of these methods are easier to employ than others; some, as one would expect, are less trustworthy as a result.
Differentiating between the different methods of information gathering is of critical importance to the analyst; an analyst could interpret the very same information differently, depending on the source. For example, information coming directly from a known double-agent working on behalf of Starfleet or any other agency might be evaluated with more or less confidence, depending on the agent's established work history, than information recorded from the subspace communiqués of foreign dignitaries. An analyst needs to take into account the probable reliability of any data he or she receives, and a large part of this job is based upon the method of surveillance.
A word of caution here: as you may have gathered by the above passage, no piece of information an agent is likely to have in his or her possession can ever be interpreted as being 100% genuine. There is ALWAYS a chance that an agent or a double-agent may turn; there is ALWAYS a chance that intercepted communiqués were planted by a foreign intelligence agency running a counterintelligence campaign. Interpreting information is often as much about playing the odds and playing hunches as to its veracity as it is in evaluating the actual data.
The reliability of this information depends largely on the source being; if the being is a known operative working on behalf of the intell agent, it is generally treated as reliable, while info coming from a rogue or foreign operative is at least viewed skeptically until some sort of confirmation or supporting data is obtained.
3.1- News and Commercial Analysis
This sort of intelligence is exactly as it sounds- it is data gathered through the careful study of civilian news and commercial services. This largely revolves around analyzing news briefs, articles and the like, as well as economic and commercial reports.
The reliability of this type of information really depends on the specific source, as some news services are known to be more accurate in their reporting than others. Also, some powers exert more control over their public information services than does the Federation; The Romulan Star Empire's primary news feed is a state-run organization, allowing them to mold the slant of any information its public obtains through them, thereby skewing the truth and making it less reliable than information obtained from Federation News Network services, who are NOT handcuffed in what or how it reports information.
3.2- Computer Hacking
Computer "hacking," as it used to be called, involves the forced entry into another computer. This could range from breaking into a single, self-contained computer to large governmental networks. It is a particularly difficult and time-consuming job due to the intensive security measures usually found on any system containing sensitive information.
This is usually considered to be the most accurate type of data, bar none. This is because most people or organizations do not place dummy or false files within its own computer or network; this means that, so long as an agent can break any encryption or coding of the data (a BIG if oftentimes), the information can be treated as genuine and completely accurate on its face.
3.3- Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is another time-honoured, old-fashioned way of gaining intel. Simply put, an agent listens in on the conversations of another person or operative without the other's knowledge.
Since such intel is presumed to have been obtained without the target's knowledge, it is usually treated as being reliable. However, it is not unheard of for foreign operatives to stage phony discussions with full knowledge that someone was listening, so a measure of caution is needed when evaluating info obtained in this manner as well.
Of course if you think of it there are more ways to gather intell but that’s for part 2 of this course.
Continued in Part II
An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile and analyze information (known as intelligence) which is of use to that organization.
What do they need to know?
Ensuring that the hard work of the field agents and analysts is not compromised by leeks or carelessness is a primary concern. To help maintain the integrity of the data, the intel officer employs several levels of security clearances and designations. Only those individuals with the appropriate clearance and position have routine access to certain levels of information.
However, situations change quickly in the world of espionage, and agents must be willing to adapt in order to stay ahead of its enemies. Therefore, a certain breadth of discretion is given to officers with access to sensitive materials when disseminating information. Generally, the guidelines revolve around the concept of "need to know": if an agent has a need to know specific details about a case or operation for which he or she does not have clearance, a case officer or any other officer of appropriate clearance levels may pass the information in question along to the agent. However, this is not done casually- "need to know" must be evident and clearly demonstrated.
2.1- Primary Classifications
Below are the primary clearance levels attached to all information in possession of the agent. All information, regardless of how trivial or explosive, that crosses an analyst's desk is tagged with the appropriate designation.
2.11-Open Access-class (General Consumption)
Information deemed benign enough for general consumption is tagged OA, or Open Access. Despite appearances to the contrary in the world of Star Trek, the overwhelming majority (about 95% is the conservative estimation) of information in the possession of Starfleet is tagged as OA. Such information, for example, might be economic data such as stock exchange reports; scientific and medical data such as progress reports on researching a cure for a deadly disease; or the minutes and proceedings of the Flag Council.
However, keep in mind that OA-tagged data is not always completely benign. Good analysts can glean a great deal from such information, such as taking references in science reports to ship locations to gain clues as to enemy fleet disposition.
2.12- SECRET-class
Information tagged as SECRET would cause harm to the Federation, Starfleet, or Federation interests of it were to fall into the wrong hands. Such info would likely be info regarding ship disposition, ship and weapon specifications, location and nature of war exercises, etc.
2.13- TOP SECRET-class
Information with a TOP SECRET flag would cause significant damage to Federation or Starfleet interests and/or compromise Federation security. Such information might be military research and development information, including budgetary information as well as development specifications, or Starfleet's general plan for defending the Federation.
2.14- OMEGA-class
Information designated OMEGA-class is so secret (often called "Ultra Secret" in lieu of OMEGA) that, if obtained by a threat species, it could cause extreme and/or catastrophic harm to Federation interests and greatly hinder or eliminate completely Starfleet's ability to defend itself or the Federation. Such information could even start a war between the Federation and other governments.
Examples of such information might be details of the most sensitive operations or critical scientific and technological data, or even keys to Starfleet communication codes and ciphers.
2.2- Secondary Classifications
This second level of classifications is a further refining of the primary classifications that allow an agent to further control the dissemination of such information.
2.21- Flag Officer's Only
Flag Officer Only-flagged information is exactly what it appears to be- information intended for the eyes of Flag Officers only. Usually, this applies to TOP SECRET information.
2.22- Critical Weapons Data (CWD)
Information tagged CWD is generally of a TOP SECRET or OMEGA classification, as it deals with specifications of the weapons of Star fleet or those of foreign powers.
2.23- Communications Security Information
CSI-flagged information is similar to CWD info, except that data tagged CSI deals with communications capabilities and cryptological abilities.
2.24- Sensitive Source Information
Information flagged SSI must be treated with extreme caution, as it includes information about sensitive sources. Such information is usually a report that identifies an informant, double agent, or deep cover agents working for Starfleet. It may also be in the form of a report that identifies known operatives of other governments. As such, this information is usually tagged OMEGA-class, or TOP SECRET at the very least.
2.3- Data Access Levels
A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the starboard and engineering computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.
The levels are:
LEVEL 5
Unlimited access to all classified, secret, top-secret, ultra-secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records.
LEVEL 4
Limited access to all classified, secret, top-secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 3
Limited access to all classified and secret Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 2
Limited access to all Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited on a 'need to know' basis.
LEVEL 1
Limited access to Starfleet or Federation documents and records. Access is limited to job related elements.
One of these levels is assigned to each member of Starfleet, as follows:
Flag Officers LEVEL 5
Captains, Commanders and certain specific personnel (duty related) LEVEL 4
Lieutenants, (S.G & J.G.) also certain specific personnel (duty related) LEVEL 3
All personnel in operational duties LEVEL 2
All personnel and Civilians in Starfleet service LEVEL 1
2.4 Security Clearence Grades
Security Grades go hand in hand with Data Access Levels. They are graded based on rank.
Level 10 - Captain/Colonel and Above
Level 9 - First Officer/Second In Command
Level 8 - Commander/Lieutenant Colonel
Level 7 - Lieutenant Commander/Major
Level 6 - Lieutenant/Marine Captain
Level 5 - Lieutenant Junior Grade/First Lieutenant
Level 4 - Ensign/Second Lieutenant
Level 3 - All Non-Commissioned Personell
Level 2 - Civilian Personel
Level 1 - Open Access (Read Only. This grade usually given to visiting member of non Federation races.)
3. Methods of Gathering Intelligence
Agents of Starfleet Intelligence (SFI), as well as those of foreign powers, use several methods to procure intelligence. Some of these methods are easier to employ than others; some, as one would expect, are less trustworthy as a result.
Differentiating between the different methods of information gathering is of critical importance to the analyst; an analyst could interpret the very same information differently, depending on the source. For example, information coming directly from a known double-agent working on behalf of Starfleet or any other agency might be evaluated with more or less confidence, depending on the agent's established work history, than information recorded from the subspace communiqués of foreign dignitaries. An analyst needs to take into account the probable reliability of any data he or she receives, and a large part of this job is based upon the method of surveillance.
A word of caution here: as you may have gathered by the above passage, no piece of information an agent is likely to have in his or her possession can ever be interpreted as being 100% genuine. There is ALWAYS a chance that an agent or a double-agent may turn; there is ALWAYS a chance that intercepted communiqués were planted by a foreign intelligence agency running a counterintelligence campaign. Interpreting information is often as much about playing the odds and playing hunches as to its veracity as it is in evaluating the actual data.
The reliability of this information depends largely on the source being; if the being is a known operative working on behalf of the intell agent, it is generally treated as reliable, while info coming from a rogue or foreign operative is at least viewed skeptically until some sort of confirmation or supporting data is obtained.
3.1- News and Commercial Analysis
This sort of intelligence is exactly as it sounds- it is data gathered through the careful study of civilian news and commercial services. This largely revolves around analyzing news briefs, articles and the like, as well as economic and commercial reports.
The reliability of this type of information really depends on the specific source, as some news services are known to be more accurate in their reporting than others. Also, some powers exert more control over their public information services than does the Federation; The Romulan Star Empire's primary news feed is a state-run organization, allowing them to mold the slant of any information its public obtains through them, thereby skewing the truth and making it less reliable than information obtained from Federation News Network services, who are NOT handcuffed in what or how it reports information.
3.2- Computer Hacking
Computer "hacking," as it used to be called, involves the forced entry into another computer. This could range from breaking into a single, self-contained computer to large governmental networks. It is a particularly difficult and time-consuming job due to the intensive security measures usually found on any system containing sensitive information.
This is usually considered to be the most accurate type of data, bar none. This is because most people or organizations do not place dummy or false files within its own computer or network; this means that, so long as an agent can break any encryption or coding of the data (a BIG if oftentimes), the information can be treated as genuine and completely accurate on its face.
3.3- Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is another time-honoured, old-fashioned way of gaining intel. Simply put, an agent listens in on the conversations of another person or operative without the other's knowledge.
Since such intel is presumed to have been obtained without the target's knowledge, it is usually treated as being reliable. However, it is not unheard of for foreign operatives to stage phony discussions with full knowledge that someone was listening, so a measure of caution is needed when evaluating info obtained in this manner as well.
Of course if you think of it there are more ways to gather intell but that’s for part 2 of this course.
Continued in Part II