Afterword:

Application of evolving Internet technologies to intelligence applications in the form of Intelink has been a transcendent and farsighted strategy. In theory, it addresses many of the current needs for access to intelligence databases, push/pull dissemination, a generally secure environment with multiple levels of security ranging from "codeword" through general service classifications, including support for US allies, as well as unclassified access to "open source" data. Its user base is vast, so it can reach down to support lower levels of Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence and allied customers. Its future applications requirements parallel those of the global Internet, so there is the expectation that, for continuing modest investment, intelligence can continue to ride the wave of Internet growth, with commensurate access to amazing and relevant commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) developments on tools, visualization, speed, search capabilities, increased capacities, improved data access, conferencing, segmentation, and many other areas where DOD intelligence and civilian Internet applications converge.

Next Steps

So where do we go next in terms of satisfying user needs in peace and war? The use of metadata is a critical step. It could improve the ability of Intelink to allow users to ultimately cut across the various "web pages" produced by the disciplinary "stovepipes" at all levels of the Intelligence Community. These stovepipes relate to the intelligence disciplines such as Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT), and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Second levels of stovepipes exist for operational/current intelligence correlation and analysis (usually done on an all-source basis) at the Service, "Commander-In-Chief" (CINC), Joint Task Force (JTF) and below levels, and finally, at the scientific and technical intelligence centers. The so-called stovepipes are both a blessing and a curse. They exist for the purpose of accountability, span of control and the ability to lead, manage and focus incredibly complex intelligence disciplines which are often multi-billion dollar a year enterprises such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, the National Security Agency, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. That said, their production of data files for Intelink tends to be focused on one discipline or a narrow range of target sets. On the other hand, the customers using Intelink want the integrated, all-source, fused intelligence data, tailored to their specific level of interest, and to move toward solutions in this area may be Intelink’s biggest challenge. Tools to assist such as profiling, filters, data finders, and other Internet technologies move Intelink in the direction of satisfying this requirement.

Finally, to put these next steps into their proper perspective, Intelink must foster a close association with the Joint Intelligence Virtual Architecture (JIVA) program as well as carefully consider the Intelligence Community-wide vision of the "agile intelligence enterprise" in order to improve the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of intelligence products.

Other Challenges

What are the other Intelink challenges? I would speculate that they are as follows:

· Providing broad access to large-scale imagery/maps/special effects type data. Intelink can already deal with a small subset of this requirement.

· Providing tools to support imagery and related geospatial filtering functions.

· Improving data finding, push (profiling) and fusion capabilities.

· Dealing with the stress of wartime load levels down to lower command levels.

· Moving more in the direction of multi-level security (a difficult requirement).

· Improving security functionality to prevent unauthorized field access during conflict/warfighting.

· Developing the ability to deal with Information Warfare threats, and degrading gracefully when under attack.

The Intelink Management Office represents a modest but critically important force in intelligence. Given the enormous potential for Intelink, the program is likely currently underfunded – despite recent increases – but competition for scarce resources is tight in today’s Intelligence Community. Intelink is important because of its reach, flexibility, and continuing potential to satisfy customer critical and diverse intelligence needs. In this book, Fredrick Thomas Martin has provided us with a rich description of the range of architecture, technology and studies efforts inspired by Intelink. I predict a bright and successful future for Intelink as it strives to meet the challenges of functionality and customer needs.

Admiral William O. Studeman, USN-Retired
Former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence,
Director of the National Security Agency, and
Director of Naval Intelligence