text: Intelligence Operations
  6-67. Technical authorities are the applicable laws, policies, and regulations that guide and ensure the
  effective execution of the intelligence tasks, functions, and capabilities needed to meet the dynamic
  requirements of intelligence operations. Applicable laws and policies include all relevant U.S. laws, the law
  of war, international laws, ICDs, DOD directives, DOD instructions, and orders.
  6-68. Technical control, in intelligence usage, refers to the application and oversight of the technical
  authorities that control the performance of intelligence functions and activities. While not a formal or support
  relationship, technical control is a critical function that ensures the collection asset has the required data and
  guidance to perform the mission.
  6-69. Technical authority and technical control neither constitute nor bypass command authorities; rather,
  they serve as the mechanism for ensuring the effective execution of the intelligence tasks, functions, and
  capabilities needed to meet the dynamic requirements of operations. The commander and staff establish
  collection requirements for the asset, task the asset in accordance with the unit order or plan, and provide
  staff control of the asset during operations.
  6-70. Technical authority and technical control are accomplished through intelligence technical channels.
  Establishing intelligence technical channels ensures oversight of and adherence to existing policies or
  regulations for information collection tasks within the information collection plan. In specific cases,
  regulatory authority is granted to national and DOD intelligence agencies for specific intelligence discipline
  collection and is passed through technical channels.
  6-71. While intelligence technical channels are not part of command or support relationship channels, they
  are important to intelligence operations as they are the transmission paths between intelligence units
  (including sections) preforming a technical function that requires special expertise, oversight, or
  synchronization.