What do all members of the Intelligence Community share in their mission?

All members of the Intelligence Community share the mission of gathering intelligence. This fundamental responsibility involves collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information that is critical for national security and for informing policymakers. Intelligence gathering encompasses various activities such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and information sharing that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of threats and challenges facing the nation.

While domestic law enforcement, defensive security, and providing public awareness are important areas related to security and information, they do not represent the core mission that unifies the diverse agencies within the Intelligence Community. Domestic law enforcement primarily focuses on maintaining public safety and order, while defensive security pertains to protecting assets and personnel from threats. Providing public awareness may relate to informing the public about risks and security measures but does not capture the primary role of the Intelligence Community, which is to systematically gather and analyze intelligence to preemptively address threats. Gathering intelligence is the foundational element that all members of the Intelligence Community rally around in pursuit of their overarching national security objectives.