WASHINGTON D.C. - Statement by William R. Evanina Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center Office of the Director of National Intelligence “Election Threat Update for the American Public”

On July 24, 2020, I issued a statement to the American public providing an unclassified overview of foreign threats to the 2020 election and offering basic steps to mitigate some of these threats. At that time, I pledged that the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) would continue to update the American public and other key stakeholders on the evolving election threat landscape, while also safeguarding our intelligence sources and methods.

“Despite being shot in the back, war was the best experience I’ve ever had.”

Those are the words of a 30-year-old man who has spent more than 10 percent of his life in a military hospital recovering from an armor piercing sniper round.

His name is Justin Griffin, a former Sergeant in the United States Army who is a Purple Heart recipient and a current employee at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

WASHINGTON D.C. - Statement by NCSC Director William Evanina: 100 Days Until Election 2020

Election security remains a top priority for the Intelligence Community and we are committed in our support to DHS and FBI, given their leadership roles in this area. In recent months, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has been providing robust intelligence-based briefings on election security to the presidential campaigns, political committees, and Congressional audiences.

WASHINGTON D.C. - Intelligence Community Releases Artificial Intelligence Principles and Framework

Today, the Intelligence Community (IC) released the Principles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for the Intelligence Community and the related Artificial Intelligence Ethics Framework for the Intelligence Community. These principles and framework, which the director of national intelligence (DNI) recently approved, will guide the IC’s ethical development and use of AI.

Two research programs at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency, commonly known as IARPA, are now undergoing evaluation to see if they may provide solutions to help counter the growing COVID-19 pandemic, IARPA director Catherine Marsh tells SIGNAL Magazine.

The Molecular Analyzer for Efficient Gas-phase Low-power INterrogation (MAEGLIN—pronounced Magellan) program has been developing sensors to detect harmful gaseous chemicals in the air. The goal is to detect weapons of mass destruction or chemical indicators of illicit activity, such as narcotics production. But now, the program is investigating how well its newly developed micro-gas chromatograph might work as a breath sensor to detect signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening condition associated with COVID-19.

Last month, Women of Color magazine selected La’Naia Jones, the Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO), as a national “2020 Technology All-Star” in recognition of her leadership and impact in the U.S. Intelligence Community. She joins a highly distinguished group of women leaders with diverse backgrounds—from academia, Fortune 500 companies, and other government agencies—who are being honored for their achievements, innovation, and inspiration in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

Dr. Catherine Marsh, director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, was recently interviewed by SIGNAL magazine.  In the interview, Dr Marsh indicated she is hiring personnel to fill several new office director positions. The new personnel will help recruit program managers, develop and guide programs, and strengthen relationships with the intelligence community, enhancing the transition of technologies from researchers to users.

On February 20, Richard Grenell was appointed Acting Director of National Intelligence, becoming the first openly gay DNI and cabinet member in American history. Not long ago, these words would have been an impossibility.

For decades, federal law made it so that no amount of education, experience, or intellect could brighten the tarnish of homosexuality in the security clearance process — the gateway into the Intelligence Community. A landmark Executive Order in 1995 set the gears in motion for Grenell to ascend as Acting DNI 25 years later. What would generally be an individual achievement became a benchmark of progress for the U.S. LGBTQ+ community of an estimated 14.8 million. In a Q&A with Grenell, the former Acting DNI shared what it means to be a first, personal moments of pride, and the power of allies.

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, who has been in office little more than two weeks, has sent a message to the spy agency workforce calling the death of George Floyd "a horrific tragedy" and emphasizing that "we do not and will not tolerate racism of any kind."

Go outside your comfort zone; keep strengthening your skills; engage with people from different backgrounds; and remember the mission. These were just a few tips that IC CIO John Sherman shared with more than 600 attendees during a virtual “Coffee and Conversation” event hosted by INSA (the Intelligence and National Security Alliance) on June 2.