AEGIS-QH
Source reliability

Source reliability

Before we weigh what a source says, we weigh the source. Every source that contributes to a finding is rated for reliability, independent of the specific information it provides.

What it is

Grading the source, not the story

A source's track record and the truth of a single report are two different questions. Source reliability answers the first: how much has this source earned our trust over time. We grade it on a six-level scale, from A to F, following long-standing allied practice.

The scale

Six levels, A to F

A · Completely reliable
A proven source with a consistent track record of accuracy and no known reason to doubt it.
B · Usually reliable
A source that has been reliable in most instances, with only minor, explainable lapses.
C · Fairly reliable
A source that has provided accurate information before but is not yet consistently proven.
D · Not usually reliable
A source that has been right less often than wrong, and is treated with caution.
E · Unreliable
A source with a track record of inaccuracy, used only with strong corroboration.
F · Cannot be judged
A new or unproven source with no track record yet to assess.
Why it matters

The source and the story are two questions

Grading the source separately keeps a trusted name from being believed automatically, and keeps an unproven one from being dismissed automatically.

The reliability rating is combined with the credibility of the information into a single, legible mark on every finding. The two are never conflated.

See our full standards
  • A six-level scale, A to F
  • Rated independently of the information
  • Combined with credibility, never merged
  • Visible on every finding we deliver
Method and technology

Explore the standards and technology behind every finding.

Source reliability Information credibility Estimative language Provenance The human gates Artificial Intelligence Quantium Computing
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Due diligence welcome

Vetted counterparties can review our standards, governance, and methodology in depth under appropriate confidentiality.

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