intelligence community

Early last year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and two other members of the intelligence community began a data exchange pilot program with support from the office of the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment. The goal of the pilot was to not only develop a successful data exchange methodology for these agencies, but also to track best practices and lessons learned with the intent to share them with other federal agencies and ultimately expand responsible federal information sharing.

My name is Captain Tommy Elliott and I enlisted into the Marine Corps 1997. I served four years traveling the world as a Radio Operator as my primary billet, and then I used the G.I. bill to attend college after finishing my initial contract. After graduation, I returned to the Marine Corps as an officer, became an Aviation Supply Officer, and deployed to Mediterranean soon after completing my aviation logistics course.

Last month, Ronald Brooks was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, which is the highest honor presented to a non-federal employee who has performed eminent acts of service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States Intelligence Community.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of participating in the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Thinkers Series, where I heard the perspectives of our industry partners in the Information Sharing Environment. USGIF and my staff have drafted a summary of the key themes of the discussion in USGIF Thinkers Series Vol. 1, some highlights of which include:

Interoperability & Standards

Interoperability wasn’t just the topic of Deputy PM-ISE Mike Howell’s breakout panel at the GEOINT 2012 Symposium—it was the recurring theme throughout the symposium. Many discussed the important roles of attribute-based access control and data tagging in successful information sharing—they pointed to these as solutions that enable sharing while seamlessly and securely tracking network users and data access.

A common challenge shared by all geospatial communities—those focused on intelligence, sensitive but unclassified, or public geospatial data—is providing decision makers access to the right data and services at the right time in a secure manner.

Effective and responsible information sharing requires strong commitment and participation from agencies. A number of our mission partners have embraced a culture of responsible information sharing in their planning and implementation – they have developed effective internal governance structures and practical measures to ensure that information sharing and risk management goals and objectives are fully integrated in their day-to-day operations.

Earlier this month, I testified before the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications on behalf of the National Fusion Center Association (NFCA).