Source Reliability Grading (NATO STANAG 2511)

framework

Core idea

A two-axis system for rating intelligence: one axis grades the reliability of the source, the other grades the accuracy of the information. It forces analysts to separate “who told me” from “how confirmed is the claim.”

Components

Source reliability: A (completely reliable) through F (reliability unknown).
Information accuracy: 1 (confirmed) through 6 (cannot be judged).
Two-source rule: never report a claim as fact unless corroborated by at least two independent sources.

When to use

When evaluating and reporting any intelligence claim, to grade confidence and decide whether a claim can be stated as fact.

Avoid when

Do not report a claim as fact on a single source, require corroboration from at least two independent sources.

Example

A wallet-ownership claim from one anonymous forum post rates low on both axes and must not be reported as fact until a second independent source confirms it.

Passive vs Active OSINT, Attribution Confidence Levels, Investigation Risk Categories & Mitigations