The CIA finally goes digital
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 03/10/2015 05:15 AM
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The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has decided to re-invent itself.
Notably, CIA director John Brennan said that the spy agency will establish a Directorate of Digital Innovation, focused on using cyber technology to gather intelligence.
The agency has four other traditional directorates. They are:
• the Directorate of Science and Technology ( responsible for spy gear and gadgets )
• the Directorate of Support ( which handles administrative and logistical tasks )
• the Directorate of Intelligence ( to be renamed Directorate of Analysis, which will collate and analyze information from secret and open sources )
• the National Clandestine Service ( which carries out covert operations and manages human spies and spooks to be renamed the Directorate of Operations )
Sen. Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement: "This reorganization was driven not by any institutional failure, but by the realization that the world has changed over the course of the last 70 years. In many ways, the Director’s proposal is long overdue."
Brett Fernicola, chief information security officer with STEALTHbits Technologies, made the point clearer: “We are entering into a new era in history where wars may soon be fought by keyboard and mouse. We have already seen examples of this today with drones and their early security breaches. The digital arms race is in full swing, soon people will more fear the country who can push a button and turn off your power remotely, not who has the most nukes."
"Our ability to carry out our responsibilities for human intelligence and national security responsibilities has become more challenging,” Brennan said. "And so what we need to do as an agency is make sure we’re able to understand all of the aspects of that digital environment."
“It’s no secret that other nations such as China run and operate state sponsored hacker colleges hoping to find their next Neo,” he said. “Keeping our operatives safe whether at home or abroad should always be top priority. Having the skills and technology to remain stealth is a key advantage over your adversaries, just look at the success of the Stealth Fighter. It’s about time these same principles are applied to the digital format.”
Source: InfoSecurity and Reuters
Notably, CIA director John Brennan said that the spy agency will establish a Directorate of Digital Innovation, focused on using cyber technology to gather intelligence.
The agency has four other traditional directorates. They are:
• the Directorate of Science and Technology ( responsible for spy gear and gadgets )
• the Directorate of Support ( which handles administrative and logistical tasks )
• the Directorate of Intelligence ( to be renamed Directorate of Analysis, which will collate and analyze information from secret and open sources )
• the National Clandestine Service ( which carries out covert operations and manages human spies and spooks to be renamed the Directorate of Operations )
Sen. Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement: "This reorganization was driven not by any institutional failure, but by the realization that the world has changed over the course of the last 70 years. In many ways, the Director’s proposal is long overdue."
Brett Fernicola, chief information security officer with STEALTHbits Technologies, made the point clearer: “We are entering into a new era in history where wars may soon be fought by keyboard and mouse. We have already seen examples of this today with drones and their early security breaches. The digital arms race is in full swing, soon people will more fear the country who can push a button and turn off your power remotely, not who has the most nukes."
"Our ability to carry out our responsibilities for human intelligence and national security responsibilities has become more challenging,” Brennan said. "And so what we need to do as an agency is make sure we’re able to understand all of the aspects of that digital environment."
“It’s no secret that other nations such as China run and operate state sponsored hacker colleges hoping to find their next Neo,” he said. “Keeping our operatives safe whether at home or abroad should always be top priority. Having the skills and technology to remain stealth is a key advantage over your adversaries, just look at the success of the Stealth Fighter. It’s about time these same principles are applied to the digital format.”
Source: InfoSecurity and Reuters
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