What is HUMINT?

Human intelligence is information gathered from people: conversations, interviews, recruited sources and relationships. In traditional intelligence it means agents and handlers. In cyber threat intelligence it usually means contacts in industry, researchers who share findings, and carefully managed interaction with people in criminal communities.

HUMINT can reach what technical collection cannot, such as intent, plans and relationships, but it carries the source's own motives and blind spots. Every claim needs grading and, where possible, corroboration.