I was recently asked “What do intelligence reports
do? They appear worthless!”
I found the question both funny and ironic. Unfortunately, I had to gently deliver some uncomfortable
news.
There is a fundamental difference between intelligence
and the ability to apply it effectively to make better decisions. Intelligence is the distillation and
organization of data that is analyzed and assessed to draw meaningful
conclusions. These insights often
highlight risks and opportunities, serving as a foundation for better
decisions.
However, intelligence alone doesn’t guarantee action or
success. It takes someone with knowledge
and experience to interpret these insights within a specific context, align
them with goals, and uncover actionable strategies to address potential risks or
opportunities. This process enables smarter decisions and often provides a
competitive edge advantage.
Simply put: “Intelligence is useless without the wisdom
to meaningfully apply it.”
In this case, the person dismissing threat intelligence as “worthless”
failed to understand how to use it. Intelligence reports don’t necessarily dictate
actions—they empower decision-makers with the information they need to act. The
value lies not in the report itself, but in the expertise to leverage it.
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