SIGINT_COMINT

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) covers the interception of virtually all electronic signals, while COMINT (Communications Intelligence) generally refers to signals from telephone or radio conversations. Led by the NSA SIGINT/COMINT rapidly became one of the most important intelligence-gathering technologies during the Cold War.¹

The sheer volume of data collected through SIGINT/COMINT often required heavy reliance on computers to automatically sift through intercepts for worthwhile material. Like other intelligence disciplines such as HUMINT, PHOTINT/IMINT, and ELINT, SIGINT/COMINT was used in conjunction with other sources to confirm and complement information. The emergence of PSI-INT offered another potential avenue for intelligence collection.¹