News Articles 2014

News Articles 2014

The U.S. intelligence community has suffered significant damage from a perfect storm of insider revelations and budget cutbacks. Simultaneously, the threat picture confronting the United States has grown to an unprecedented level just when intelligence organizations are hampered in their efforts to continue to protect the nation.

Under EO 12333, intelligence agencies may collect, retain, and disseminate information about Americans “only in accordance with procedures … approved by the Attorney General … after consultation with the Director [of National Intelligence].” ... As the civil liberties protection officer for the director of national intelligence (DNI), I work with intelligence agencies on these procedures, and would like to describe how they safeguard privacy and civil liberties.

Standards and conformity assessment activities impact almost every aspect of life in the U.S., they are inseparably linked to all facets of our national economy, and are vital to the continued global competitiveness of the U.S. In fact, they influence an estimated 80% of global merchandise trade – or about $14 trillion.

Not too long ago, openly LGBT people were denied federal security clearances. These days, the CIA has an extensive strategy in place to help trans employees confirm their gender expression.

In this exclusive two-part interview, the Honorable James Clapper, Jr., Director of National Intelligence, discusses recent efforts to stem news leaks in the Intelligence Community; a new "roadmap" outlining the IC's technology requirements in the future; and the effort to improve the speed and reliability of federal employee and contractor security clearances.