Analysts, in various sectoral domains, are expected to exercise 'sensemaking' in an environment of an exponential escalation of data volume, data velocity, and data variety. At best, some of the data complexity is sieved by technology; at worst, the technology lags in application of cognitive discipline. Oftentimes the analytics are data-centric with little consideration of the quantitative results as related to qualitative results. Before a seminal definition or notion of  "Intelligence Analytics" can be formulated, three questions must be answered: What is 'Analysis'? What is 'Intelligence'? What is 'Intelligence Analysis'?  Without cognitive discipline, without cogent argument, without reason and validation, technology solutions as applied to 'intelligence' may be precise, accurate, but they may not be correct. In the realms of national security or cybersecurity, there must also be a high degree of confidence.

Nadia Diakun-Thibault holds a Masters in Public Administration from Queen's University, (Kingston). She has worked in both Canadian Federal and Provincial spheres, and was a White House Fellowship regional finalist (Boston). Her area of expertise includes advanced "sensemaking", analytics, and decisionmaking.