CI-301b · Module 1

Source Onboarding for CI

3 min read

Onboarding a new source into your CI network follows a five-step protocol. Evaluate: score the source on the five-axis credibility model. Configure: build or select the appropriate collection adapter. Test: run a 14-day parallel collection to verify data quality and cadence. Integrate: add the source to the production pipeline with appropriate credibility tier. Monitor: track the source's reliability over the first 90 days and adjust the credibility score based on performance.

Do This

Score credibility before integrating — do not add untested sources to the production pipeline
Run a parallel test period — verify the source produces what you expect before relying on it
Document the source's known limitations during onboarding — every source has them
Set a 90-day review to evaluate whether the source is contributing to intelligence products

Avoid This

Add sources directly to production because they look credible — looks are not data
Skip the parallel test because you need the data urgently — urgency does not improve data quality
Onboard sources without documented limitations — the limitations will surface later, at worse timing
Add sources permanently without review — a source that does not contribute to findings within 90 days is consuming pipeline capacity for no return