07/06/2002
Centralizing intelligence data perilous, too
The president's proposal to create a Department of Homeland Security puts emphasis on having one place where intelligence data from various sources – FBI, CIA, National Security Agency, et al. – can be evaluated. The intelligence data turned over to the Department of Homeland Security would apparently not necessarily include transcripts of raw reports, or information about sources and methods. The secretary of the new department could ask for raw data if it was thought to be imperative to assess a piece of intelligence.
As Congress works its way through this bill, it will be good to keep in mind that as important as it is to have a "clearinghouse" for intelligence matters, putting too much intelligence data into one computer network has enormous perils. A hack into that computer system, or one spy (sorry, we still have people who will betray their country), or a leaker to the press, or an electronic penetration of the facility, could cripple various intelligence efforts – both domestic and foreign.
America's aversion to creating one agency with domestic and foreign powers of investigation and surveillance will no doubt prevent the Congress from folding the CIA and the FBI into Homeland Security. As counterproductive as it often is, a certain amount of "turf wars" tends to act as a check on unbridled power.
Richard C. Rhodes, Honey Grove
Richard Rhodes
08/03/98