Policy
Spy Chief Searching for Cuts Across Entire US Intelligence Community
Trump's new intelligence chief, Dan Coats, says he’s already moving on GOP lawmakers’ request to streamline all 17 agencies, including his own ODNI.
Business
Unprecedented: US Air Force Will Let a Defense Company Pick Its Next Jamming Plane
The latest twist in the Compass Call replacement saga sparks concerns that it cedes an inherent military function to a private firm.
Science & Tech
America's Security Clearance System Is Broken, Former Spy Chief Clapper Says
The problem won't be easy to fix, but it could benefit from better employee monitoring and 'some very aggressive creative and sensitive education.'
Policy
Remember When Mike Pompeo Loved Wikileaks?
Now the head of the CIA wants to get tough on the “non-state hostile intelligence service.” That won’t be so easy.
Threats
The Steady Rise of Digital Border Searches
At the current rate, customs agents are on track to increase inspections of travelers’ electronic devices by a third this year.
Science & Tech
If You Only Work on Your Malware on Weekdays, You Might Be a CIA Hacker
Analysts at Symantec found a curious pattern in malware alleged to have been developed by the CIA: all the timestamps are Monday through Friday.
Ideas
Want to Plug Intel Leaks? Let Technology Find the Next Insider Threat
Lack of empathy? High narcissism? Self-absorbed? You could be the next Snowden.
Threats
Post-9/11 Intel Sharing Needs Fine-Tuning, IGs Say
Domestic sharing of counterterror info could be better, according to the inspector generals of the intel community, DHS, and Justice Department.
Policy
Comey on the Political Firestorms His Decisions Stoke: ‘Honestly, I Don’t Care’
The FBI director talks about making hard choices and the bureau’s future at intel contractor gathering.
Science & Tech
Why Fake News Spreads: A Neurological Explanation
The logical part of your brain really, really likes listening to the social part, which just wants to fit in.
Policy
GOP Lawmaker to FBI: Stop the Leaks in Russia Probe or Lose A Key Surveillance Tool
After top cop confirms investigating the Trump campaign, a House member threatens to hold investigatory powers hostage.
Ideas
I Ran Intel at the Pentagon. Here’s My Advice on Insider Threats
If I were still in government, this is what I would be telling Defense Secretary Mattis and the DNI.
Science & Tech
WikiLeaks Dump Shines Light on Government's Shadowy Zero-Day Policy
The documents shed little light on how many unknown vulnerabilities the intelligence agency retains and how well it vets the damage they might cause.
Ideas
What If Intelligence Agencies Can’t Secure Their Own Hacking Tools?
The Wikileaks dump makes it harder to argue that concealing vulnerabilities keeps us safer.
Science & Tech
CIA Claims No Wrongdoing As Wikileaks Claims to Publish Thousands of Agency Files
The group says the 8,000-plus files detail the existence and function of key hacking tools.
Science & Tech
The Government’s Intelligence Wiki Might Be a Lockbox for Russian-Hacking Secrets
Analysts reportedly tucked classified information about Russian election meddling inside Intellipedia for safekeeping.
Ideas
The High Cost of Politicizing Intelligence
Trump is undermining America’s national security by trying to shape analysis to support his world view.
Ideas
What Former NSA Chief Keith Alexander Thinks of Trump's Cyber Stance
The former NSA director hopes Trump will allow government to more actively defend industry from cyberattacks.
Ideas
Are Leakers Defending Democracy or Corroding It?
Are leaks about the White House the work of bureaucrats who want to undermine the president? And if so, is that a good or bad thing?
Science & Tech