The SSG maintains a small intelligence operation known as the Central Intelligence Branch (CIB). This functions as the central house for intelligence operations that the SSG performs. The main role of the CIB is tactical and strategic in nature. For tactical operations, this is self explanatory, as it provides the necessary intelligence for each of the Sections within the SSG. Sections FIVE to ONE have each 30 officers, while Sections SEVEN and SIX have only 15 personnel. These are called Section Intelligence Groups (SIG). However, there has grown a major distinction that if an officer from Section is referring to another Section's SIG, he or she would say SIG3, or Section Intelligence Group 3. The reason Sections SEVEN and SIX have half the number is that they are mainly training assets for the recruits. They provide "intelligence" for "missions" that they have to perform. Even though Section FIVE is a first year Section for recruits, they perform real missions compared to training missions in the first two Sections in the heirarchy of the SSG. As a recruit gets higher up in the chain of Sections, he or she will understand the various differences in assets each Section has. All information that is gained is evenly distributed to the various operatives for a mission. The reason that some intelligence agencies do not give certain information which could hamper the mission considerably, leading to the death of costly personnell. While this leaves it to be abused, particularly the infamous "selling out", this has happened only rarely, as some believe that Lofwyr can't get to them. Needless to say, his reach has been clearly demonstrated with the death of those that have tried to spill the beans.
The CIB is run by a Director of Section Intelligence (DSI, colloquially referred to the "Disee"). The DSI is the "C-in-C" for SSG intelligence operations, much like the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) of the UCAS CIA. He or she maintains the various "branches" of the CIB. The Section Intelligence Commander (SIC) is the head of each SIG. Note that the same example above would apply here, as a SIC from Section ONE would have a title of SIC1. Each SIC meets with the DSI three days out of a week, barring an operation. If a SIC is on duty, the missing SIC reports to the DSI as soon as possible, to update the other SIC's, and of course the DSI.
The types of missions that the CIB performs mainly concerns information gathering. They perform HUMINT (HUMan INTelligence), MAGINT (MAGical INTelligence), and MATINT (MATrix INTelligence). Every SIG has a couple deckers to perform the MATINT part. The other officers, along with two magicians (shamanic and hermetic to get the best assessment possible) handle MAGINT and HUMINT. Most of the work performed is simple site assessment, such as a particular security system, or other necessary items. Needless to say, they have redefined the term "in-depth analysis" of a target. Any information that pertains to the target is taken from the main network, is gleaned and used.
Becoming an intelligence operative within the CIB is difficult at best. Every applicant must have been with the SSG for five years, and proven themselves capable of doing the job. This allows the various SIG's to have combat proven officers, not desk clerks. As the mission is more tactical, it allows people who have experience in that field to make the right decisions on information acquired, thus reducing the problem of an intelligence operative not knowing how the other members feelings and experiences. Training is very thorough, but not as extensive, because everybody in the SSG (Tactical Operations) has knowledge of various techniques of defeating security, acquiring information, etc. Some of the intelligence deckers have come from Berlin, where there skills are veritably honed in the F-State. Members may come from the Saeder-Krupp organization, where an operative's previous experience can help in the CIB. Applicants must go through a mind probe to determine if the applicant is a spy. Applicant's are very aware of this, and most accept it, as if you want to join, you have to do the rigamarole. Other reviews such as capability, intelligence is also checked on. The amount of work that an officer has to do is enormous in the CIB, as they are virtually operating 24 hours each day, gathering, interpreting information that could be used for an operation.
Units that are in the field access what is known internally as the "Infobahn" (see link below), a sort of moniker to the Tactical Matrix that many use for secure distribution of data. Anything is of course accessible, and the Infobahn is pretty much it's own "web", which helps prevent unauthorized decker access. This it's key benefit, as it's more secure, and an intruder is more likely to be noticed, and dealt with quicker, since there aren't that many users, and the fact that it still has alot of horespower, and contrary to standard S-K practice, Black IC is pretty much the rule, however, Trace-and-Report and other varieties still haunt the Infobahn.
In addition to the ground based assets, the CIB maintains an extensive array of satellites to provide real time tactical intelligence. Currently, the most commonly used is the DR-7 NIRNSat (Need It Right Now Satellite). Often deployed one per Battalion, they also maintain the capability to launch more without the cost of launching it from the Tyranatam Space Facility, even though aerial launches are conducted there to take advantage of the existing facilities.
The Infobahn. Back to Special Security Group. Space Assets Back Home.
The Infobahn.
