What is the focus of counterintelligence (CI)?

The focus of counterintelligence (CI) is primarily on protecting sensitive national security information. This involves identifying and mitigating threats posed by foreign intelligence services and other entities aiming to gather or exploit classified information. Counterintelligence activities are essential for safeguarding a nation's secrets, ensuring that intelligence operations remain secure from adversaries who may seek to use that information for malicious purposes.

This protection is crucial for national security because it prevents unauthorized access to critical data that could be harmful if exploited. While understanding community concerns or promoting public health are important in their own right, they do not fall under the purview of counterintelligence. Similarly, assessing the economic impacts of terrorism involves a different focus and analytical framework, primarily concerned with economic analysis rather than the protection of sensitive information.