Haines Strives to Create an Adaptable Intelligence Community

Director Haines kicked off the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit on Monday with an overview of the state of the IC and the priorities of her Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).  

Her priorities, as well as those of the IC as a whole, include developing a talented and relevant workforce, combating competitive threats, countering long-term destabilizing trends, strengthening partnerships, and building resilience.

In the area of public/private partnerships, Haines said that industry is critical to bringing in technology and expertise.  A few specific areas where industry can help the IC include biotechnology, AI, and quantum computing.

Additionally, the private sector holds much of the U.S.’s critical infrastructure.  The government cannot protect the nation unless it works with the private sector to protect or help it protect itself through shared responsibility.  This is also true of supply chain vulnerabilities.

Also, the private sector is a powerful factor in the global sector and geopolitical action, according to Haines. The IC and the federal government need industry, especially multinational companies, to help promote the vision of the world.

As to the state of international partners and allies, Haines believes many of the U.S. allies are going through the same reflection as our country, and are thinking about resilience, talent, and diversity. Allies have similar opportunities and challenges as the US, according to Haines.

When asked about the IC’s ability to continue to collect intelligence about Afghanistan without boots on the ground, the director admitted that intelligence collection is diminished, but said that the IC has been preparing for this. She added that terrorism threats, from an international perspective, have diminished over time. In terms of the homeland, the greatest threats are from Somalia and other areas versus Afghanistan.

Haines also talked about her work on the IC’s budget and the shift of U.S. focus to competition with China, which precipitates a shift in the focus for the agencies. She said that there is a slow adjustment but a shift is happening.

Tools used in the past to counter terrorism can apply to different subject areas.  One area that relates to this is the IC’s emphasis on science. Science provides sound verifiable interpretations and fundamentally gives one a better understanding of the world. As the IC shifts with its challenges and resources, it is striving to enhance knowledge and stem innovation. 

Another topic of discussion was disinformation and the IC’s role in countering it. ODNI is establishing a new center tasked with tracking overseas efforts to wage disinformation and influence campaigns in the U.S. Last year's Intelligence Authorization Act called for the establishment of such a body. Haines said that they are looking to establish this new center as they gain funding for it.  ODNI is currently looking at methods for countering disinformation. The director also commented that you can’t go after all disinformation everywhere. It will need to be prioritized and the public needs to be educated.

Haines also spoke about supply chain security as a whole of government effort. She said supply chain security is about designing a process that prioritizes the goods that are most critical and determining the vulnerabilities of the process.  According to Haines, another question is “Do you have partners and allies that could help you be more resilient?” Haines remarked that supply chain security will be a continuing conversation and focus for the federal government and the IC.